John Cornforth (footballer)
Encyclopedia
John Cornforth is a former Wales
international football player and is now a coach, most recently Head Coach at English League Two side Torquay United F.C.
Originally from Whitley Bay
in the north-east of England, Cornforth and his family have been settled in Devon
for some time.
Cornforth is the current the manager of South West Peninsula League side Witheridge.
due to his paternal grandmother, who was from Llantrisant
. He gained two caps before a cruciate ligament
injury hampered any chances of further caps.
In July 2004 he joined the coaching team (unpaid) at his local side Crediton United
.
In September 2004 he took over from Peter Nicholas
as manager of Newport County
but was sacked in 2005.
In January 2006 Cornforth took over as caretaker manager at Torquay United
from Leroy Rosenior
with the side deep in relegation trouble and soon after was appointed as manager until the end of the season. The side's form worsened however, and Ian Atkins
replaced Cornforth in April, having joined the club as an advisor to Cornforth the previous month. Against all odds, Atkins managed to rescue the side and lift them a comfortable three points clear from relegation.
In August 2007, Cornforth rejoined his local side Crediton United
as an advisor. The following month he was reported to be combining this role with working as a milk tanker driver, while hoping for a return to football management at a higher level.
In November 2010 Cornforth was appointed Manager of South West Peninsula League side Witheridge.
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
international football player and is now a coach, most recently Head Coach at English League Two side Torquay United F.C.
Torquay United F.C.
Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley...
Originally from Whitley Bay
Whitley Bay
Whitley Bay is a town in North Tyneside, in Tyne and Wear, England. It is on the North Sea coast and has a fine stretch of golden sandy beach forming a bay stretching from St. Mary's Island in the north to Cullercoats in the south...
in the north-east of England, Cornforth and his family have been settled in Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
for some time.
Cornforth is the current the manager of South West Peninsula League side Witheridge.
Playing career
Cornforth usually appeared in midfield during his playing days. He made a total of 322 starts for his various clubs over his career, scoring 36 goals in the process. At one point he commanded a transfer fee of £350,000, in his 1996 transfer from Swansea to Birmingham City. Originally a fan of whoever won the league in that year, his four and a half years and nearly 200 games for Swansea led him to declare himself 'a true Jack'.- SunderlandSunderland A.F.C.Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
- Doncaster RoversDoncaster Rovers F.C.Doncaster Rovers Football Club is an English football club, based at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The team currently competes in the Football League Championship, after being promoted via the League One play-offs in 2008, and have remained there since.The club was founded in...
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- Swansea CitySwansea City A.F.C.Swansea City Association Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Swansea, Wales. One of the most successful clubs in Welsh football, it has won 10 Welsh Cups and led the English Football League First Division in December 1981, before finishing the season in 6th position...
- Birmingham CityBirmingham City F.C.Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
- Wycombe WanderersWycombe Wanderers F.C.Wycombe Wanderers Football Club is an English professional football team from High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, which has been promoted to Football League One after finishing third in Football League Two in the season 2010–11. The club's nicknames are "The Chairboys" and "The Blues", and they play...
- Peterborough UnitedPeterborough United F.C.Peterborough United Football Club are a professional English football club based in Peterborough. Peterborough United formed in 1934 and played in the old Midland League, which they won six times; eventually being admitted to the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead. Their home ground is...
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(player coach)
International career
Cornforth was eligible to play for the Wales national football teamWales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
due to his paternal grandmother, who was from Llantrisant
Llantrisant
Llantrisant is a town in the county borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf in Wales, within the historic county boundaries of Glamorgan, Wales, lying on the River Ely and the Afon Clun. The town's name translates as The Parish of the Three Saints. The three saints in question are St Illtyd, St Gwynno and St...
. He gained two caps before a cruciate ligament
Cruciate ligament
Cruciate ligaments are pairs of ligaments arranged like a letter X. They occur in several joints of the body, such as the knee...
injury hampered any chances of further caps.
Coaching career
- 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...
(player coach) - 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...
(assistant manager) - 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...
(manager)
In July 2004 he joined the coaching team (unpaid) at his local side Crediton United
Crediton United A.F.C.
Crediton United A.F.C. is a football club based in Crediton, Devon, England. They were established in 1910.After spending eighty years in local football, latterly the Devon & Exeter League, they joined the Western League in 1990...
.
In September 2004 he took over from Peter Nicholas
Peter Nicholas (footballer)
Peter Nicholas is a Welsh former professional footballer and Wales international, now football manager.He was capped 73 times at senior level for Wales between 1979 and 1991.-Crystal Palace:...
as manager of Newport County
Newport County A.F.C.
Newport County Association Football Club are a professional football club based in the city of Newport, south Wales, who currently play in the Conference National, the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
but was sacked in 2005.
In January 2006 Cornforth took over as caretaker manager at Torquay United
Torquay United F.C.
Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley...
from Leroy Rosenior
Leroy Rosenior
Leroy Rosenior is a professional football coach and pundit. He is a former professional footballer whose clubs included Fulham, Queens Park Rangers , Bristol City and West Ham United.As one of the few black football managers in England, Rosenior has spoken openly about the racism...
with the side deep in relegation trouble and soon after was appointed as manager until the end of the season. The side's form worsened however, and Ian Atkins
Ian Atkins
Ian Leslie Atkins is a former English professional footballer who became a manager later in his career, and now works as a coach with Sunderland. During a 20-year playing career he had eight clubs, including two spells with Sunderland and Birmingham City and playing more than 200 games with his...
replaced Cornforth in April, having joined the club as an advisor to Cornforth the previous month. Against all odds, Atkins managed to rescue the side and lift them a comfortable three points clear from relegation.
In August 2007, Cornforth rejoined his local side Crediton United
Crediton United A.F.C.
Crediton United A.F.C. is a football club based in Crediton, Devon, England. They were established in 1910.After spending eighty years in local football, latterly the Devon & Exeter League, they joined the Western League in 1990...
as an advisor. The following month he was reported to be combining this role with working as a milk tanker driver, while hoping for a return to football management at a higher level.
In November 2010 Cornforth was appointed Manager of South West Peninsula League side Witheridge.