Marcus Bignot
Encyclopedia
Marcus Bignot is an ex-English professional footballer, currently manager of Solihull Moors
.
but was released and joined Telford United
before going to Kidderminster Harriers
for a small fee in 1996.
While with Kidderminster, he was capped for the England C squad, and after 56 appearances moved on Crewe Alexandra
in August 1997 for £100,000. At Gresty Road he was the supporters' player of the season 97/98.
After falling into dispute with the club over his contract he joined Bristol Rovers
on a free transfer in August 2000. At Bristol Rovers he played a key part in his team beating Premier League side Everton in the League Cup. It was Bignot's equaliser in the second leg that took the match to penalties, which Rovers subsequently won. He had scored his first goal for the club in the previous round against Plymouth Argyle. Bignot also scored a memorable goal in the league against rivals Bristol City after just 28 seconds, but could not prevent his team losing 3–2. A change of management prompted a move to Queens Park Rangers
in March 2001 to rejoin his old manager, Ian Holloway
.
He spent 18 months at Rushden & Diamonds
before being sold back to QPR in March 2004; a consequence of the financial meltdown at Rushden. He joined Millwall
on loan in November 2007. On 15 January 2008, Bignot was released by QPR, but rejoined Millwall on a permanent basis a few hours later.
in 1998, and immediately revamped the entire youth structure at the club. He continued to play professionally while managing the side to promotion to the FA Women's Premier League National Division
. He left his post with Birmingham in the 2005 close season after the club ran into financial difficulties.
For the 2011–2012 season Bignot has been appointed as Manager at Blue Square Bet North side Solihull Moors
.
is also a professional footballer.
Bignot's girlfriend is (or at least was in October 2008) Arsenal Ladies
and Ireland
goalkeeper Emma Byrne
.
Solihull Moors F.C.
Solihull Moors F.C. is an English football club, founded in 2007 by the merger of Moor Green and Solihull Borough.The club plays its games at Damson Park, Solihull and competes in the Conference North.-History:...
.
Playing career
Bignot served his apprenticeship with 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...
but was released and joined Telford United
Telford United F.C.
Telford United F.C. was an English football club based in Telford, Shropshire.The club existed under various names for a total of 132 years from its formation in 1872. The club was founder members of the Alliance Premier League in 1979 and played at this level for 25 years before being wound up in...
before going to Kidderminster Harriers
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...
for a small fee in 1996.
While with Kidderminster, he was capped for the England C squad, and after 56 appearances moved on Crewe Alexandra
Crewe Alexandra F.C.
Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club...
in August 1997 for £100,000. At Gresty Road he was the supporters' player of the season 97/98.
After falling into dispute with the club over his contract he joined 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....
on a free transfer in August 2000. At Bristol Rovers he played a key part in his team beating Premier League side Everton in the League Cup. It was Bignot's equaliser in the second leg that took the match to penalties, which Rovers subsequently won. He had scored his first goal for the club in the previous round against Plymouth Argyle. Bignot also scored a memorable goal in the league against rivals Bristol City after just 28 seconds, but could not prevent his team losing 3–2. A change of management prompted a move to Queens Park Rangers
Queens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
in March 2001 to rejoin his old manager, Ian Holloway
Ian Holloway
Ian Scott Holloway is an English football manager and former player. He became the manager of Blackpool in May 2009. Holloway is well-known amongst football fans for his off-the-wall interviews, with a wide selection of quotes and soundbites being printed. Holloway's playing career spanned 18...
.
He spent 18 months at Rushden & Diamonds
Rushden & Diamonds F.C.
Rushden & Diamonds Football Club was an association football club based in Irthlingborough, Northamptonshire, England. Formed by a merger of Rushden Town and Irthlingborough Diamonds in 1992, the club played in the Conference National following a short spell in the Football League at the start of...
before being sold back to QPR in March 2004; a consequence of the financial meltdown at Rushden. He joined Millwall
Millwall F.C.
Millwall Football Club is an English professional football club based in South Bermondsey, south east London, that plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the...
on loan in November 2007. On 15 January 2008, Bignot was released by QPR, but rejoined Millwall on a permanent basis a few hours later.
Managerial and coaching career
Bignot became manager of Birmingham City LadiesBirmingham City L.F.C.
Birmingham City L.F.C. is a semi-professional English Women's football club who are affiliated to Birmingham City F.C.. They play their home games at Knights Lane, the home of Stratford Town F.C., and were named as founder members of the FA Women's Super League which started in 2011.-History:The...
in 1998, and immediately revamped the entire youth structure at the club. He continued to play professionally while managing the side to promotion to the FA Women's Premier League National Division
FA Women's Premier League National Division
The FA Women's Premier League National Division is the second level of the English women's football league pyramid. From 1991 until the introduction of the summer competition FA Women's Super League the National Division functioned as the top league in England. Below it are simultaneously the...
. He left his post with Birmingham in the 2005 close season after the club ran into financial difficulties.
For the 2011–2012 season Bignot has been appointed as Manager at Blue Square Bet North side Solihull Moors
Solihull Moors F.C.
Solihull Moors F.C. is an English football club, founded in 2007 by the merger of Moor Green and Solihull Borough.The club plays its games at Damson Park, Solihull and competes in the Conference North.-History:...
.
Personal life
Bignot's younger brother PaulPaul Bignot
Paul Junior Bignot is an English footballer who plays for Plymouth Argyle on loan from Blackpool as a defender. He made over 20 appearances in the Football League with Crewe Alexandra. His older brother Marcus was also a professional footballer.-Crewe Alexandra:Birmingham-born Bignot started his...
is also a professional footballer.
Bignot's girlfriend is (or at least was in October 2008) Arsenal Ladies
Arsenal L.F.C.
Arsenal Ladies Football Club are an English women's association football club affiliated with Arsenal F.C.. Founded in 1987, they are the most successful club in English women's football having won 34 major trophies to date; which are 12 FA Women's Premier League titles, 11 FA Women's Cups, ten...
and Ireland
Republic of Ireland women's national football team
The Republic of Ireland women's national football team, selects players from both the 350 Women's Football Association of Ireland teams, in 21 affiliate leagues throughout the nation, and the international women's football community. The WFAI was founded in 1973...
goalkeeper Emma Byrne
Emma Byrne
Emma Anne Byrne is an Irish association footballer from Leixlip in County Kildare. She currently plays as a goalkeeper for the English team Arsenal, and also for the Republic of Ireland women's team.-Club career:...
.