Dave Challinor
Challinor training with Bury in 2007
Personal information
Full name David Paul Challinor[1]
Date of birth (1975-10-02) 2 October 1975[1]
Place of birth Chester, England[1]
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)[2]
Position(s) Centre-back[1]
Team information
Current team
 Stockport County (manager)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1994–2002 Tranmere Rovers 140 (6)
2002–2004 Stockport County 100 (5)
2004 → Bury (loan) 15 (0)
2004–2008 Bury 158 (2)
2008–2011 Colwyn Bay
Total 413 (13)
Managerial career
2010–2011 Colwyn Bay
2011–2019 AFC Fylde
2019–2021 Hartlepool United
2021– Stockport County
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

David Paul Challinor (born 2 October 1975) is an English professional football manager and former player who is the manager of EFL League Two club Stockport County.

As a player he was as a centre-back and played in the Football League for Tranmere Rovers, Stockport County and Bury. Challinor started his managerial career at Colwyn Bay as player-manager before joining AFC Fylde. In nearly eight years, Challinor won three promotions with the club and won the FA Trophy before departing in 2019. He then joined Hartlepool United where he won promotion to the Football League via the play-offs in his first full season. Mid-way through the following season, Challinor departed for National League side Stockport County. At the end of the season, Challinor won the National League title to return to the Football League. In their first season back in the EFL, Stockport reached the 2023 play-off final but lost on penalties.

Playing career

The centre-back, who played for Tranmere Rovers and Stockport County, previously held the world record for the longest throw in football. This was 152 feet (46.34 metres) in a special challenge set-up at Prenton Park in 1998, beating the previous record held by Cardiff City's Andy Legg.[3][4] When at Tranmere, he played in the 2000 Football League Cup final.[5]

He was transferred to Stockport County for a fee of £900,000 in January 2002. Whilst playing for Stockport County against Grimsby Town, Challinor's tackle on striker Martin Pringle broke the leg of Pringle in two places, and effectively ended his career. Though Challinor only received a yellow card, Carlton Palmer, Stockport's player-manager, fined Challinor two weeks' wages and called the tackle "horrendous".[6][7]

Challinor joined Bury on loan for three months in January 2004.,[8] the move was made permanent during the summer.[9] After spending four seasons at Bury as captain, he was forced to retire from professional football in May 2008 due to a knee injury.[10]

In October 2008, Challinor joined Colwyn Bay in the Northern Premier League Division One North, he captained the side to the play-offs in his first season where they lost out to Newcastle Blue Star on penalties. The following season the team, again captained by Challinor reached the play-offs and this time were promoted thanks to a 1–0 victory at Lancaster City in the final.[11]

Managerial career

Colwyn Bay

Challinor was appointed as player-manager at Northern Premier League Premier Division club Colwyn Bay on 28 May 2010.[12]

He was assisted by former teammate Colin Woodthorpe. During their first season in management, they led Colwyn Bay to runners-up in the Northern Premier League Premier Division and a place in the play-offs. Victories over North Ferriby United and FC United of Manchester secured the club promotion to the Conference North.[13] The club also won the North Wales Coast Cup, with victory over Flint Town United in the final on penalties. The club won the Fair Play Award for the fewest disciplinary points through the season and Challinor was named manager of the month for March, April and May 2011.

AFC Fylde

On 2 November 2011 it was announced that Challinor had been appointed the new manager of AFC Fylde, in the Northern Premier League Division One North.[14] He guided Fylde to the NPL First Division North championship in the season of his arrival and as a consequence was named Evo-Stik NPL Manager of the Year 2011–12.[15]

In 2012–13, Fylde once again qualified for the Evo-Stik NPL Premier Division play offs but were defeated on penalties by Hednesford Town who took their place in the Conference North. Fylde did qualify for the FA Cup first round proper, eventually being defeated by Accrington Stanley and also were victorious in the Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy at The Reebok Stadium, Bolton.

The 2013–14 season saw Fylde gain promotion to the National League North after defeating Ashton United in the Evo-Stik NPL Premier Division play offs.[16] They also retained their Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy with a 4–1 victory over rivals Chorley. In addition, they won the Doodson Sport League Cup with victory at Edgeley Park over Skelmersdale United. Their disciplinary record meant they won the Fair Play Award for the Premier Division and their overall record throughout the three leagues came out on top which saw them claim the Presidents Cup. They also had the best technical area marks for the Evo-Stik league to match the previous year's statistic. The year saw Fylde move to their highest rung of the pyramid and a fourth promotion in five years for Challinor.

In 2016–17 Challinor clinched promotion as National League North champions, with a 3–0 victory over Boston United on 22 April 2017.[17] In June 2017, he signed a new two-year contract with the club.[18] In Fylde's debut National League campaign, the club reached the play-offs but lost 2–1 to Boreham Wood.[19]

The 2018–19 season saw Fylde reach both the play-off final and FA Trophy final. Having been defeated 3–0 by Salford City in the play-off final,[20] Fylde returned to Wembley Stadium the following week to beat Leyton Orient 1–0 and lift the FA Trophy for the first time in the club's history.[21]

On 12 October 2019 after spending eight years as manager, Fylde announced that it was parting company with him as the manager, with the side in the relegation places on goal difference.[22][23]

Hartlepool United

On 11 November 2019, Challinor was appointed manager of National League side Hartlepool United with the club in 13th place.[24][25] In his first full season in charge, Challinor guided Hartlepool to a 4th placed finish and a place in the 2020–21 National League play-offs. In the play-off eliminator, Hartlepool defeated Bromley 3–2, scoring three goals in seven first-half minutes before Bromley scored two in the second half, ultimately proving to not be enough.[26] In the semi-final, they travelled to Stockport County where Rhys Oates scored with fifteen minutes left to book Hartlepool's place in the final.[27] On 20 June 2021, Hartlepool faced Torquay United in the 2021 National League play-off final at Ashton Gate Stadium.[28] After Luke Armstrong gave Hartlepool the lead in the first half, Torquay goalkeeper Lucas Covolan scored a last minute equaliser to take the match to extra-time.[28] Despite both sides missing their first two penalties, Hartlepool eventually won the shootout 5–4, returning to the Football League for the first time since their relegation in 2017.[28]

On 24 September 2021, Challinor signed a new three year contract to remain as manager.[29] On 1 November 2021, Challinor announced his intentions to step down from the position.[30] In a club statement, Hartlepool stated their dissatisfaction with the way Challinor departed the club: "As a club, we were disappointed the first approach did not come direct to the club. Also that this was so soon after Dave signed a new three-year contract."[31] In an interview with Stockport following his arrival, Challinor said that "It's been ridiculously difficult (to leave Hartlepool), once the interest came in (from Stockport) there was always going to be an attraction but the affinity I built up with the fan base there was amazing and that was the biggest tie that I had to get over".[32]

Stockport County

On 2 November 2021, Challinor was appointed manager of National League side Stockport County with the club in 9th position, ten points from 1st place.[33][34][35] Challinor was awarded the National League's Manager of the Month award for January 2022 after six wins from six in all competitions that saw Stockport finish the month top of the league.[36] He would lose only one of his first 23 matches with Stockport.[35] On 15 May 2022, Stockport beat FC Halifax Town 2–0 to clinch the National League title.[37] Following promotion, Challinor was named as the National League Manager of the Season.[35]

After Stockport won all three games in December 2022, Challinor won the EFL League Two Manager of the Month award.[38] He also won the Manager of the Month award for February 2023 after winning five games from six.[39] Stockport missed out on automatic promotion to EFL League One on the final day of the season, finishing 4th and qualifying for the play-offs.[40] After defeating Salford City in the semi-final, Stockport lost on penalties in the play-off final to Carlisle United.[41][42] On 5 July 2023, Challinor signed a new three-year deal with Stockport.[43]

In August 2023, rumours emerged that Challinor had been interviewed for the vacant manager's job at League One club Charlton Athletic.[44] Having remained at Stockport, he received the manager of the month award for successive months for September[45] and October, extending a club-record winning run to twelve matches.[46]

Personal life

He studied at Salford University training to be a physiotherapist[47] and in July 2012 graduated with a First Class Honours degree.

Managerial statistics

As of match played 13 January 2024
Managerial record by team and tenure
Team From To Record Ref.
PWDLWin %
Colwyn Bay 28 May 2010 2 November 2011 66 34 12 20 051.5 [12][14][48]
AFC Fylde 2 November 2011 12 October 2019 415 226 93 96 054.5 [14][49]
Hartlepool United 11 November 2019 1 November 2021 90 41 24 25 045.6 [50]
Stockport County 2 November 2021 Present 131 73 28 30 055.7 [51]
Total 702 374 157 171 053.3 —

    Honours

    Player

    Tranmere Rovers

    Colwyn Bay

    Manager

    Colwyn Bay

    • Northern Premier League Premier Division play-offs: 2011[13]

    AFC Fylde

    Hartlepool United

    Stockport County

    Individual

    • National League Manager of the Season: 2021–22[35]
    • National League North Manager of the Season: 2016–17[54]
    • Evo-Stik NPL Manager of the Year: 2011–12[15]
    • League Two Manager of the Month: December 2022[38] February 2023,[39] September 2023,[45] October 2023[46]
    • National League Manager of the Month: January 2022[55]
    • National League North Manager of the Month: September 2014[56]

    References

    1. 1 2 3 4 "Dave Challinor". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
    2. ↑ "Dave Challinor". Soccerbase. 2011. Retrieved 15 September 2011.
    3. ↑ "League throw out the towel". BBC Sport. 25 February 2000. Retrieved 8 February 2010.
    4. ↑ David Williams (20 January 2010). "League throw out the towel". Sky News. Archived from the original on 11 February 2010. Retrieved 18 February 2010.
    5. 1 2 "Leicester City 2–1 Tranmere Rovers". BBC Sport. 27 February 2000. Retrieved 7 January 2017.
    6. ↑ "Pringle contract boost". BBC Sport. 16 May 2002. Retrieved 21 January 2010.
    7. ↑ "Palmer fines Challinor". 27 February 2002. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
    8. ↑ "Shakers grab Challinor". BBC Sport. 9 January 2004. Retrieved 7 January 2017.
    9. ↑ "Challinor makes Bury switch". BBC Sport. 30 June 2004. Retrieved 7 January 2017.
    10. ↑ Iles, Marc (17 April 2008). "Challinor out for season". The Bolton News. Retrieved 7 January 2017.
    11. ↑ "Lancaster City 0–1 Colwyn Bay". BBC Sport. 1 May 2010. Retrieved 7 January 2017.
    12. 1 2 "Colwyn Bay appoint Dave Challinor as new boss". BBC Sport. 28 May 2010. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
    13. 1 2 Williams, Aled (10 February 2011). "Dave Challinor's Colwyn Bay promotion dream". BBC Sport. Retrieved 6 January 2017.
    14. 1 2 3 "AFC Fylde name new boss". Blackpool Gazette. 2 November 2011. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
    15. 1 2 3 Snee, Tom (17 April 2012). "AFC Fylde - Champions". Pitchero. Retrieved 6 January 2017.
    16. 1 2 Watters, David (3 May 2014). "Congratulations To Play-Off Winners AFC Fylde!". Pitchero. Retrieved 6 January 2017.
    17. 1 2 Whitney, Steve (12 April 2017). "AFC Fylde Seal National League North Title". Pitchero. Retrieved 6 January 2017.
    18. ↑ "AFC Fylde: Manager Dave Challinor signs new two-year deal". BBC Sport. 30 June 2017. Retrieved 7 January 2017.
    19. ↑ "Report: Boreham Wood 2–1 AFC Fylde". AFC Fylde. 3 May 2018. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
    20. ↑ "Salford City beat AFC Fylde in National League promotion final at Wembley". BBC Sport. 11 May 2019. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
    21. 1 2 "FA Trophy final:AFC Fylde 1–0 Leyton Orient". BBC Sport. 19 May 2019. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
    22. ↑ "STATEMENT | Club Part Company With Management Team". AFC Fylde. 12 October 2019.
    23. ↑ "Dave Challinor: AFC Fylde sack boss after Sutton United game is postponed". BBC Sport. 12 October 2019. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
    24. ↑ "Challinor To Be Unveiled As New Manager". Hartlepool United FC. 11 November 2019. Retrieved 11 November 2019.
    25. ↑ "Hartlepool United set to appoint Dave Challinor as new manager". BBC Sport. 5 November 2019. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
    26. ↑ "Hartlepool 3–2 Bromley". BBC Sport. 6 June 2021. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
    27. ↑ "Stockport County 0–1 Hartlepool United". BBC Sport. 13 June 2021. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
    28. 1 2 3 4 Brent Pilnick (20 June 2021). "National League promotion final: Hartlepool United 1–1 Torquay United (5–4 on pens)". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
    29. ↑ "Dave Challinor signs new contract". Hartlepool United FC. 24 September 2021. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
    30. ↑ "Club Statement: Dave Challinor". Hartlepool United FC. 1 November 2021. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
    31. ↑ "Dave Challinor: Hartlepool United boss leaves role for Stockport County opportunity". BBC Sport. 1 November 2021. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
    32. ↑ Richard Mennear (2 November 2021). "Dave Challinor reveals why he wanted to leave Hartlepool United as Stockport County move confirmed". Hartlepool Mail. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
    33. ↑ "Dave Challinor takes over as Stockport County manager after Hartlepool United exit". BBC Sport. 2 November 2021. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
    34. ↑ "Dave Challinor Returns To County As Manager". Stockport County FC. 2 November 2021. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
    35. 1 2 3 4 Tom Scott (5 June 2022). "Vanarama National League Team Of The Season Announced". Vanarama National League. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
    36. ↑ "Challinor named Manager of the Month". www.stockportcounty.com. 7 February 2022. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
    37. ↑ "Stockport County 2–0 FC Halifax Town". BBC Sport. 15 May 2022. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
    38. 1 2 "Introducing your Sky Bet EFL December Manager and Player of the Month winners!". EFL. 13 January 2023. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
    39. 1 2 "Sky Bet EFL Manager and Player of the Month: February winners". EFL. 10 March 2023. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
    40. ↑ Rob Stevens (8 May 2023). "Stockport County 1–1 Hartlepool United". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
    41. ↑ "Stockport beat Salford and head for League Two play-off final with Carlisle". The Guardian. 20 May 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
    42. ↑ Matt Newsum (28 May 2023). "Carlisle United 1–1 Stockport County (5–4 pens)". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
    43. ↑ "Dave Challinor: Stockport County boss signs new three-year deal". BBC Sport. 5 July 2023. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
    44. ↑ "Dave Challinor: Stockport County boss interviewed for Charlton Athletic vacancy". BBC Sport. 31 August 2023. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
    45. 1 2 "Chally and Louie clean up September awards". www.stockportcounty.com. 13 October 2023. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
    46. 1 2 "DC wins another Manager of the Month award!". www.stockportcounty.com. 10 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
    47. ↑ "Long throw king Dave Challinor reveals his secrets". 5 November 2008.
    48. ↑ Williams, Mike; Williams, Tony, eds. (2011). Non-League Club Directory 2012. Tony Williams Publications. p. 184. ISBN 978-1-869833-70-1.
      Williams, Mike; Williams, Tony, eds. (2012). Non-League Club Directory 2013. Tony Williams Publications. p. 190. ISBN 978-1-869833-77-0.
    49. ↑ "AFC Fylde: Matches". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 17 August 2019.
    50. ↑ "Hartlepool United FC: Matches". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
    51. ↑ "Stockport County FC: Matches". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
    52. ↑ "Football Club History Database - Northern Premier League 2009-10". www.fchd.info. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
    53. ↑ "D.Challinor". Soccerway. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
    54. ↑ "The Winners From The National League Awards Revealed". Pitchero Non-League. 11 June 2017. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
    55. ↑ "Challinor named Manager of the Month". Stockport County. 7 February 2022. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
    56. ↑ "Chally Wins Manager of the Month". AFC Fylde. 4 October 2014. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
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