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John Cottam (footballer)
Encyclopedia
John Cottam was an English
professional footballer who played as a defender
. He played in The Football League
for five clubs and later became a manager in non–league football.
, who he signed professional forms with in April 1968. He made his debut in the 1970–71 season
when the club were in The First Division. Apart from loan spells with Mansfield Town
and Lincoln City
, Cottam remained at Forest until August 1976, making nearly 100 league appearances in the process.
Cottam then moved on to Chesterfield
, where he played regularly for three years in Division Three. In July 1979 he moved to divisional rivals Chester
for £12,500, making his debut in a Football League Cup
tie against Walsall
the following month. In his first season he missed just one of Chester's 58 first-team games and helped the Blues reach the FA Cup
fifth round. He remained a regular for the next two years with Trevor Storton
his regular defensive partner.
Ahead of the 1982–83 season
, Cottam moved to Alliance Premier League
side Scarborough
as player–manager, taking Chester players David Burns
and Brynley Jones
with him. His first season saw the club finish as runners–up in the Bob Lord Trophy
, with the Seadogs going on to win the competition the following season. However, Cottam was sacked in November 1984, shortly after an FA Cup
defeat to Tow Law Town
.
, Cottam joined the Metropolitan Police force
in July 1985, becoming a police sergeant. He began playing for the Metropolitan Police
in the Isthmian League
. He played for three years and then became coach at the start of the 1992–93 season
. Cottam became club manager in 1995 for two years.
John now works for Chelsea Football Club in Security as their Compliance Officer.
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...
professional footballer who played as a defender
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
. He played in The 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...
for five clubs and later became a manager in non–league football.
Playing career
Cottam began his career with Nottingham ForestNottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
, who he signed professional forms with in April 1968. He made his debut in the 1970–71 season
1970-71 in English football
The 1970–71 season was the 91st season of competitive football in England.-First Division:Arsenal won the league championship at the end of a season which would soon be followed by their FA Cup final tie with Liverpool. Arsenal secured the league title at White Hart Lane, the home of bitter rivals...
when the club were in The First Division. Apart from loan spells with Mansfield Town
Mansfield Town F.C.
Mansfield Town Football Club is an English football club from the former mining town of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The club was formed in 1897 as Mansfield Wesleyans and changed its name to Mansfield Wesley in 1906 before settling on Mansfield Town in 1910...
and Lincoln City
Lincoln City F.C.
Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League....
, Cottam remained at Forest until August 1976, making nearly 100 league appearances in the process.
Cottam then moved on to Chesterfield
Chesterfield F.C.
Chesterfield Football Club is an English football club based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. The club currently plays in Football League One, the third tier of English football. Despite being the fourth oldest Football League club in England, they have spent most of their existence in the lower...
, where he played regularly for three years in Division Three. In July 1979 he moved to divisional rivals Chester
Chester City F.C.
Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the...
for £12,500, making his debut in a Football 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...
tie against Walsall
Walsall F.C.
Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second...
the following month. In his first season he missed just one of Chester's 58 first-team games and helped the Blues reach 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...
fifth round. He remained a regular for the next two years with Trevor Storton
Trevor Storton
Trevor Storton was an English footballer who played as a central defender.-The early years:He began his career at Tranmere Rovers, playing alongside his older brother Stan, he played over 100 games for the club between 1967 and 1972, when he joined Liverpool...
his regular defensive partner.
Ahead of the 1982–83 season
1982-83 in English football
The 1982–83 season was the 103rd season of competitive football in England.- First Division :Bob Paisley's last season as Liverpool manager ended on a high as they topped the First Division with a comfortable lead. Bob Paisley retired as Liverpool manager with a record 21 prizes in nine years. His...
, Cottam moved to Alliance Premier League
Conference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
side Scarborough
Scarborough F.C.
Scarborough Football Club was an English football club based in the seaside resort of Scarborough, North Yorkshire. They were one of the oldest football clubs in England, formed in 1879, before they were wound up on 20 June 2007, with debts of £2.5 million.In the 2006–07 season...
as player–manager, taking Chester players David Burns
David Burns (footballer)
David Burns is a former English footballer. He played in The Football League for Chester City.-Playing career:...
and Brynley Jones
Brynley Jones
Brynley Jones is a former Welsh professional footballer who played in The Football League for Chester as a midfielder.-Playing career:...
with him. His first season saw the club finish as runners–up in the Bob Lord Trophy
Conference League Cup
The Conference League Cup was an English football competition open to clubs playing in levels 5 or 6 of the English football league system , which covers the three Football Conference divisions.The Conference League Cup was formed...
, with the Seadogs going on to win the competition the following season. However, Cottam was sacked in November 1984, shortly after an 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...
defeat to Tow Law Town
Tow Law Town F.C.
Tow Law Town A.F.C. is an English non-league football club from Tow Law, County Durham, currently playing in the Northern League Division One. The team, nicknamed "The Lawyers", play their home games at Ironworks Road...
.
After Playing Career
After a spell playing for Burton AlbionBurton Albion F.C.
Burton Albion Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire. The club's home ground is the Pirelli Stadium, having moved from Eton Park in 2005...
, Cottam joined the Metropolitan Police force
Metropolitan police
Metropolitan Police is a generic title for the municipal police force for a major metropolitan area, and it may be part of the official title of the force...
in July 1985, becoming a police sergeant. He began playing for the Metropolitan Police
Metropolitan Police F.C.
Metropolitan Police F.C. is the football club of the Metropolitan Police Service, although in recent years there has been a relaxation in the rule that players had to be serving members of the police force...
in the Isthmian League
Isthmian League
The Isthmian League is a regional football league covering London and South East England featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs. It is sponsored by Ryman, and therefore officially known as the Ryman League. It was founded in 1905 by amateur clubs in the London area...
. He played for three years and then became coach at the start of the 1992–93 season
1992-93 in English football
The 1992–1993 season was the 113th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:This season saw the birth of the FA Premier League. This meant a break-up of the 104-year-old Football League that had operated until then with four divisions....
. Cottam became club manager in 1995 for two years.
John now works for Chelsea Football Club in Security as their Compliance Officer.
Honours
Scarborough- Bob Lord TrophyConference League CupThe Conference League Cup was an English football competition open to clubs playing in levels 5 or 6 of the English football league system , which covers the three Football Conference divisions.The Conference League Cup was formed...
: Winners 1983–841983-84 in English footballThe 1983–84 season was the 104th season of competitive football in England.- First Division :Liverpool had a great first season under the management of Joe Fagan as they wrapped up their third successive league title and the 15th in their history...
; runners-up 1982–831982-83 in English footballThe 1982–83 season was the 103rd season of competitive football in England.- First Division :Bob Paisley's last season as Liverpool manager ended on a high as they topped the First Division with a comfortable lead. Bob Paisley retired as Liverpool manager with a record 21 prizes in nine years. His...
.