Gary Peters (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Gary David Peters is an English
former professional footballer and now manager
. He is currently Director of Football at Hereford United
.
including spells at Aldershot
(twice), Reading
(twice), Fulham
(twice) and Wimbledon
. Originally rejected as a trainee at Aldershot, he began his career at Southern League Guildford City
before moving on to Reading as a right-back in 1975, winning promotion to Division 3
in his first season. After failing to agree terms on a contract extension, Peters left the club in 1978, having made 156 appearances.
A Football League
tribunal decided upon a transfer fee of £25,000 as Peters moved to Fulham
. After 64 appearances for the club, Peters then joined Wimbledon
, who had spent the previous four years moving between the third and fourth divisions, after being elected into the Football League in 1977. In his first full season for ‘The Dons’ (1982-83) Peters helped the club to promotion as Fourth Division champions. The following year Wimbledon, with Peters now club captain, won promotion again and reached Division Two. However, he did not play for the club at this higher level as he was released to join fourth division Aldershot
.
Peters rejoined his original club, Aldershot, for the 1984-85 season, where he played in central defence. However, he stayed for just one campaign, in which he made only 23 appearances, before leaving to rejoin Reading
. His first season back at Elm Park
saw the club clinch promotion to Division Two. Peters made nearly a hundred appearances for ‘The Royals’ in his second spell, where he also coached the youth team. He returned to Fulham
, and played sporadically over two further seasons before retiring in 1990.
and Preston North End
. After the departure of John Beck
in late 1993-94, Peters was promoted to manager at Preston, who at the time were third from bottom of Division Three
. Under Beck, Preston had played the long-ball system, but with Peters in charge the team played a more attractive passing game. He also changed their fortunes, as Preston won promotion to Division Two in 1996. During his time at Preston, Peters brought in players such as David Beckham
(on loan) and Jon Macken
. In 1997 he sold Kevin Kilbane
for a club record fee of £1.2m. Jon Macken would eventually be sold by the club for another record, £5m, after scoring more than 70 goals for the club.
In early 1998, with Preston sinking back towards Division Three, and having finished fifteenth two years running, Peters resigned and David Moyes
was promoted to become their new manager. A month later, after considering his future, Peters rejoined Preston as the club's Centre of Excellence Manager. He set about developing the club's Centre of Excellence, nurturing the talents of local 9-16-year-olds. Recent graduates of the Preston academy include Paul McKenna and Andrew Lonergan
. But with the Centre of Excellence ticking over, Preston chose to make Peters redundant, in a cost-cutting measure.
quickly secured his services and issued him with the challenge, with just 13 matches of the 2002-03 season
remaining, of preserving their league status. Peters lost this challenge, but Exeter lost only three of those 13 games. With the club in financial turmoil, the Chairman and Vice-Chairman both resigned after they had been arrested as part of an investigation of club finances. Possibly facing a large points penalty for going into administration, having to release a large number of the playing staff and being unable to sign any new players, Peters resigned four days later. Peters joined Everton
, where David Moyes was now manager, as a scout.
. The club had been promoted out of the Football Conference in the summer of 2004 under Jimmy Quinn
but were struggling in the newly-titled "League Two", and had been knocked out of the FA Cup
by non league Histon
.
Peters appointed the much-travelled Mick Wadsworth
as his assistant in January 2005, and Shrewsbury finished 21st out of 24 that season, 11 points above the relegated Kidderminster
. Going into the 2005-06 season
, Shrewsbury were favourites for relegation, and after a poor start to the season it looked a likelihood. But Peters turned Shrewsbury's fortunes upwards, with the club even knocking Football League Championship
club Brighton
out of the League Cup
and taking Sheffield United
, also of the Championship, to a penalty shootout
in the same competition. Towards the end of the season, a consistently good run of results gave Town a chance of reaching the playoffs, though the club eventually finishing tenth.
Despite being linked with the vacant managerial post at League One
Tranmere Rovers
, Peters agreed a two year extension to his contract on 17 May 2006, which now ran until the end of the 2008-09 season. He finished the 2006-07 season by taking Shrewsbury to the play-off final at the new Wembley Stadium
, after knocking out the highly fancied Milton Keynes Dons
. However, Town lost 3-1 to Bristol Rovers
in the final, ensuring another season in the fourth tier.
The 2007-08 season
saw Peters managing the club at its new home, New Meadow
. However, the new location failed to bring a positive effect on the field as the club faltered after a bright start. On 3 March 2008, after collecting just 6 points from 12 matches, Peters parted company with the club by mutual consent. His final game had been a 4-1 defeat at Barnet
and was less than a season after a Wembley appearance.
On 4 October 2011, Peters was appointed Director of Football at League Two club Hereford United
.
Promotions
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
former professional footballer and now manager
Coach (sport)
In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:...
. He is currently Director of Football at Hereford United
Hereford United F.C.
Hereford United Football Club is an English professional football club based in the city of Hereford. Founded in 1924, they are competing in Football League Two in the 2011–12 season. Hereford have played at Edgar Street for their entire history and are nicknamed 'The Whites' or 'The Lilywhites',...
.
Playing career
Peters had a moderately successful playing career as a defenderDefender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
including spells at Aldershot
Aldershot F.C.
Aldershot Football Club was an English Football League club, which was wound up in the High Court in March 1992. They became the first Football League club since Accrington Stanley to resign from the League during the course of a season. The club was nicknamed the Shots for both the last syllable...
(twice), Reading
Reading F.C.
Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...
(twice), Fulham
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
(twice) and Wimbledon
Wimbledon F.C.
Wimbledon Football Club was an English professional association football club from Wimbledon, south-west London. Founded in 1889 as Wimbledon Old Central Football Club, the club spent most of its history in amateur and semi-professional non-League football before being elected to the Football...
. Originally rejected as a trainee at Aldershot, he began his career at Southern League Guildford City
Guildford City F.C.
Guildford City Football Club is a football club based in Guildford, Surrey, England. The club was originally established in 1921, folded in 1974 and were reformed in 1996...
before moving on to Reading as a right-back in 1975, winning promotion to Division 3
Football League Third Division
The Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
in his first season. After failing to agree terms on a contract extension, Peters left the club in 1978, having made 156 appearances.
A Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
tribunal decided upon a transfer fee of £25,000 as Peters moved to Fulham
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
. After 64 appearances for the club, Peters then joined Wimbledon
Wimbledon F.C.
Wimbledon Football Club was an English professional association football club from Wimbledon, south-west London. Founded in 1889 as Wimbledon Old Central Football Club, the club spent most of its history in amateur and semi-professional non-League football before being elected to the Football...
, who had spent the previous four years moving between the third and fourth divisions, after being elected into the Football League in 1977. In his first full season for ‘The Dons’ (1982-83) Peters helped the club to promotion as Fourth Division champions. The following year Wimbledon, with Peters now club captain, won promotion again and reached Division Two. However, he did not play for the club at this higher level as he was released to join fourth division Aldershot
Aldershot F.C.
Aldershot Football Club was an English Football League club, which was wound up in the High Court in March 1992. They became the first Football League club since Accrington Stanley to resign from the League during the course of a season. The club was nicknamed the Shots for both the last syllable...
.
Peters rejoined his original club, Aldershot, for the 1984-85 season, where he played in central defence. However, he stayed for just one campaign, in which he made only 23 appearances, before leaving to rejoin Reading
Reading F.C.
Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...
. His first season back at Elm Park
Elm Park (stadium)
Elm Park was a football stadium in the West Reading district of the English town of Reading. It was the home of Reading Football Club from 1896 until 1998, when they moved to the new Madejski Stadium....
saw the club clinch promotion to Division Two. Peters made nearly a hundred appearances for ‘The Royals’ in his second spell, where he also coached the youth team. He returned to Fulham
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
, and played sporadically over two further seasons before retiring in 1990.
Preston
Following his retirement as player, Peters took on roles as assistant manager at Fulham, CambridgeCambridge United F.C.
Cambridge United Football Club is a professional football club from Cambridge, England. They are currently playing the 2011-2012 season in the Conference National, the fifth tier of the English league system, where they have competed since 2005 following their relegation from the Football League...
and Preston North End
Preston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
. After the departure of John Beck
John Beck (footballer)
John Alexander Beck is an English former footballer and manager. As a player he made nearly 500 league appearances between 1972 and 1988....
in late 1993-94, Peters was promoted to manager at Preston, who at the time were third from bottom of Division Three
Football League Third Division
The Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
. Under Beck, Preston had played the long-ball system, but with Peters in charge the team played a more attractive passing game. He also changed their fortunes, as Preston won promotion to Division Two in 1996. During his time at Preston, Peters brought in players such as David Beckham
David Beckham
David Robert Joseph Beckham, OBE is an English footballer who plays midfield for Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer, having previously played for Manchester United, Preston North End, Real Madrid, and A.C...
(on loan) and Jon Macken
Jon Macken
Jonathan Paul "Jon" Macken is an English-born Irish footballer who plays as a striker and currently plays for League One Walsall...
. In 1997 he sold Kevin Kilbane
Kevin Kilbane
Kevin Daniel Kilbane is an English-born Irish association footballer who plays as a left back or left winger for Derby County, on loan from Hull City....
for a club record fee of £1.2m. Jon Macken would eventually be sold by the club for another record, £5m, after scoring more than 70 goals for the club.
In early 1998, with Preston sinking back towards Division Three, and having finished fifteenth two years running, Peters resigned and David Moyes
David Moyes
David William Moyes is an association football manager and former player, currently managing English Premier League club Everton. He was the 2003, 2005 and 2009 League Managers Association Manager of the Year...
was promoted to become their new manager. A month later, after considering his future, Peters rejoined Preston as the club's Centre of Excellence Manager. He set about developing the club's Centre of Excellence, nurturing the talents of local 9-16-year-olds. Recent graduates of the Preston academy include Paul McKenna and Andrew Lonergan
Andrew Lonergan
Andrew Michael "Andy" Lonergan is an English football goalkeeper currently playing for Leeds United. He is a former England U21 international and is also eligible to play for Republic of Ireland...
. But with the Centre of Excellence ticking over, Preston chose to make Peters redundant, in a cost-cutting measure.
Exeter City
Exeter CityExeter City F.C.
Exeter City Football Club is an English football club, based in Exeter, which is owned by its fans through the Exeter City Supporters Trust.The club was a member of the Football League from 1920 to 2003...
quickly secured his services and issued him with the challenge, with just 13 matches of the 2002-03 season
2002-03 in English football
The 2002-03 season was the 123rd season of competitive football in England.-Most Memorable rise:*Wigan Athletic marked their 25th season of Football League membership by winning the Division Two championship and reaching the league's second tier for the very first time.-Most Memorable...
remaining, of preserving their league status. Peters lost this challenge, but Exeter lost only three of those 13 games. With the club in financial turmoil, the Chairman and Vice-Chairman both resigned after they had been arrested as part of an investigation of club finances. Possibly facing a large points penalty for going into administration, having to release a large number of the playing staff and being unable to sign any new players, Peters resigned four days later. Peters joined Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
, where David Moyes was now manager, as a scout.
Shrewsbury Town
In November 2004, Peters took over the reins at Shrewsbury TownShrewsbury Town F.C.
Shrewsbury Town Football Club is an English Association football club based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, who play in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club was formed in 1886 and has played in all the bottom three divisions in various guises since being elected into the Football...
. The club had been promoted out of the Football Conference in the summer of 2004 under Jimmy Quinn
Jimmy Quinn (Northern Irish footballer)
James Martin "Jimmy" Quinn is a former Northern Ireland international footballer and was manager of Bournemouth.-Club:...
but were struggling in the newly-titled "League Two", and had been knocked out of the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
by non league Histon
Histon F.C.
Histon Football Club is an English football club based in the twin villages of Histon and Impington, approximately north of Cambridge, Cambridgeshire. From the 2007–08 season they competed in the Conference National, the highest level that the club has ever reached in the English football league...
.
Peters appointed the much-travelled Mick Wadsworth
Mick Wadsworth
Michael "Mick" Wadsworth is an English football coach and former player, who is currently the Manager at Football League One club Hartlepool United.-Playing career:...
as his assistant in January 2005, and Shrewsbury finished 21st out of 24 that season, 11 points above the relegated Kidderminster
Kidderminster Harriers F.C.
Kidderminster Harriers F.C. are an English football club based in Kidderminster, Worcestershire formed in 1886 They currently play in the Conference National and have played at Aggborough Stadium since they were formed...
. Going into the 2005-06 season
2005-06 in English football
The 2005–06 season was the 126th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*The rebuilt Wembley Stadium was due to open in time for the FA Cup final in May. However, in August 2005, The Football Association reserved the Millennium Stadium as a backup, as there was some doubt whether...
, Shrewsbury were favourites for relegation, and after a poor start to the season it looked a likelihood. But Peters turned Shrewsbury's fortunes upwards, with the club even knocking Football League Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
club Brighton
Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
out of the League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
and taking Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
, also of the Championship, to a penalty shootout
Penalty shootout (football)
A penalty shoot-out, referred to as kicks from the penalty mark in the Laws of the Game, is the FIFA official term for a method used in association football to decide which team progresses to the next stage of a tournament following a tied game...
in the same competition. Towards the end of the season, a consistently good run of results gave Town a chance of reaching the playoffs, though the club eventually finishing tenth.
Despite being linked with the vacant managerial post at League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
Tranmere Rovers
Tranmere Rovers F.C.
Tranmere Rovers Football Club are an English team based in Birkenhead, Wirral. The club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system...
, Peters agreed a two year extension to his contract on 17 May 2006, which now ran until the end of the 2008-09 season. He finished the 2006-07 season by taking Shrewsbury to the play-off final at the new Wembley Stadium
Wembley Stadium
The original Wembley Stadium, officially known as the Empire Stadium, was a football stadium in Wembley, a suburb of north-west London, standing on the site now occupied by the new Wembley Stadium that opened in 2007...
, after knocking out the highly fancied Milton Keynes Dons
Milton Keynes Dons F.C.
.Milton Keynes Dons Football Club is an English professional football club founded in 2004 and based since 2007 at Stadium mk, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire...
. However, Town lost 3-1 to Bristol Rovers
Bristol Rovers F.C.
Bristol Rovers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Bristol, that competes in Football League Two. The team plays its home matches at the Memorial Stadium, in the Horfield area of the city....
in the final, ensuring another season in the fourth tier.
The 2007-08 season
2007-08 in English football
The 2007–08 season was the 128th season of competitive football in England.-European competitions:In October 2007 Arsenal equalled the UEFA Champions League record victory with a 7–0 win over Slavia Prague at the Emirates Stadium. The record was broken the following month when Liverpool...
saw Peters managing the club at its new home, New Meadow
New Meadow
The New Meadow, also known as the Greenhous Meadow for sponsorship purposes, is the home ground of Shrewsbury Town Football Club and is a UEFA Category Four stadium. The stadium is situated on the southern outskirts of Shrewsbury, England, between the districts of Meole Brace and Sutton Farm...
. However, the new location failed to bring a positive effect on the field as the club faltered after a bright start. On 3 March 2008, after collecting just 6 points from 12 matches, Peters parted company with the club by mutual consent. His final game had been a 4-1 defeat at Barnet
Barnet F.C.
Barnet Football Club is an English football team from High Barnet, London, England, currently playing in Football League Two. The ground is in the town of Barnet within the London Borough of Barnet....
and was less than a season after a Wembley appearance.
On 4 October 2011, Peters was appointed Director of Football at League Two club Hereford United
Hereford United F.C.
Hereford United Football Club is an English professional football club based in the city of Hereford. Founded in 1924, they are competing in Football League Two in the 2011–12 season. Hereford have played at Edgar Street for their entire history and are nicknamed 'The Whites' or 'The Lilywhites',...
.
Managerial career
(Correct as of 3 March 2008)| Gary Peters | League | Cups/Playoffs | Total | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Club | Season | Position | Played | Won | Drew | Lost | Played | Won | Drew | Lost | Played | Won | Drew | Lost |
| Preston North End Preston North End F.C. Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One... |
1994-95 1994-95 in English football -Premiership:Blackburn Rovers ended their 81-year wait for the league title thanks to the strike partnership of Alan Shearer and Chris Sutton which scored a total of more than 50 league goals. Manchester United would have made it three league titles in a row if they had been able to turn a 1-1 draw... |
4th in Div.3 (IV) | 25 | 15 | 8 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 29 | 15 | 9 | 5 |
| 1995-96 1995-96 in English football - Premiership :Newcastle United were 12 points clear at the top of Manchester United, but Alex Ferguson's relatively young and inexperienced side overhauled them during the second half of the season to win the title.... |
1st in Div. 3 (IV) | 46 | 23 | 17 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 50 | 24 | 18 | 8 | |
| 1996-97 1996-97 in English football The 1996–1997 season was the 117th season of competitive football in England.Arrival into the league and exit out of the league returns in the fourth tier for the first time after its 3 season absence with only 1 relegation spot.- Premier League :... |
15th in Div. 2 (III) | 46 | 18 | 7 | 21 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 52 | 20 | 9 | 23 | |
| 1997-98 1997-98 in English football The 1997-1998 season was the 118th season of competitive football in England.-Premier League:Arsenal overhauled Manchester United's lead during the final weeks of the season to win the Premiership title... |
Did Not Finish | 21 | 8 | 4 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 28 | 13 | 5 | 10 | |
| December 1994 - January 1998 | 138 | 64 | 36 | 38 | 21 | 8 | 5 | 8 | 159 | 72 | 41 | 46 | ||
| Exeter City Exeter City F.C. Exeter City Football Club is an English football club, based in Exeter, which is owned by its fans through the Exeter City Supporters Trust.The club was a member of the Football League from 1920 to 2003... |
2002-03 2002-03 in English football The 2002-03 season was the 123rd season of competitive football in England.-Most Memorable rise:*Wigan Athletic marked their 25th season of Football League membership by winning the Division Two championship and reaching the league's second tier for the very first time.-Most Memorable... |
23rd in Div. 3 (IV) | 13 | 5 | 5 | 3 | ||||||||
| 13 | 5 | 5 | 3 | |||||||||||
| February - May 2003 | 13 | 5 | 5 | 3 | ||||||||||
| 13 | 5 | 5 | 3 | |||||||||||
| Shrewsbury Town Shrewsbury Town F.C. Shrewsbury Town Football Club is an English Association football club based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, who play in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club was formed in 1886 and has played in all the bottom three divisions in various guises since being elected into the Football... |
2004-05 2004-05 in English football The 2004–05 season was the 125th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*2004–05 was the first season to feature the rebranded Football League. The First Division, Second Division and Third Division were renamed the Football League Championship, Football League One and Football League... |
21st in Lge.Two (IV) | 29 | 11 | 10 | 8 | ||||||||
| 29 | 11 | 10 | 8 | |||||||||||
| 2005-06 2005-06 in English football The 2005–06 season was the 126th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*The rebuilt Wembley Stadium was due to open in time for the FA Cup final in May. However, in August 2005, The Football Association reserved the Millennium Stadium as a backup, as there was some doubt whether... |
10th in Lge.Two (IV) | 46 | 16 | 13 | 17 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 51 | 18 | 14 | 19 | |
| 2006-07 2006-07 in English football The 2006–07 season was the 127th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* The number of divisions at Level 8 of the English football league system increased from four to five... |
7th in Lge.Two (IV) | 46 | 18 | 17 | 11 | 10 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 56 | 22 | 19 | 15 | |
| 2007-08 2007-08 in English football The 2007–08 season was the 128th season of competitive football in England.-European competitions:In October 2007 Arsenal equalled the UEFA Champions League record victory with a 7–0 win over Slavia Prague at the Emirates Stadium. The record was broken the following month when Liverpool... |
Did Not Finish | 34 | 11 | 7 | 16 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 38 | 12 | 7 | 19 | |
| November 2004 - March 2008 | 155 | 56 | 47 | 52 | 19 | 7 | 3 | 9 | 174 | 60 | 50 | 64 | ||
| Total | 259 | 107 | 77 | 74 | 33 | 13 | 7 | 13 | 353 | 137 | 97 | 119 | ||
Honours
As a ManagerPromotions
- 1995–961995-96 in English football- Premiership :Newcastle United were 12 points clear at the top of Manchester United, but Alex Ferguson's relatively young and inexperienced side overhauled them during the second half of the season to win the title....
: Division Three Champion (promotion to Division Two) - Preston North EndPreston North End F.C.Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...