Adrian Pennock
Encyclopedia
Adrian Barry Pennock is a retired English
footballer (soccer) player turned manager. His playing career was spent mainly at AFC Bournemouth and Gillingham
.
and having grown up supporting Ipswich Town
, Pennock began his career with their fiercest rivals, Norwich City
, where he progressed through the ranks to turn professional in 1989. He was only to manage one appearance for the Canaries' first team, however, and in 1992 he was allowed to move to AFC Bournemouth for a fee of £30,000. He was a regular for the Cherries until he suffered a knee injury in December 1995 and was unable to regain his place in the team. In October 1996 his former Bournemouth manager, Tony Pulis
signed him for Gillingham
for £25,000.
Pennock spent over six years at Priestfield Stadium
where he was a regular in the first team until a recurring knee injury took its toll. He developed a reputation as a practical joker whilst with Gillingham - during one pre-season friendly he switched on the pitch sprinkler system during the match. He also scored a memorable own goal against Wigan Athletic
in 2000 which spawned a recurring terrace chant of "He only scores own goals". Such was his affinity with the fans that he even acquired his own fan club. On the pitch, he was named captain for the play-off final in 2000 which saw the Gills promoted to the Football League First Division
for the first time in their history.
Injuries forced Pennock to retire from League football in 2003, after which he signed for Football Conference
side Gravesend & Northfleet
, where he was also assistant manager.
In January 2006 he was involved in a dispute with Gillingham chairman Paul Scally
over a testimonial match which Pennock alleges he was promised as part of his final contract at Gillingham but which never materialised.
of the Conference South
and by the end of the season had guided them to their best league position for six years. He left Welling at the end of the 2006-07
season to take up a coaching position at Stoke City
, under his former Gillingham manager, Tony Pulis
.
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...
footballer (soccer) player turned manager. His playing career was spent mainly at AFC Bournemouth and Gillingham
Gillingham F.C.
Gillingham Football Club is an English professional football club based in the town of Gillingham, Kent. The only Kent-based club in the Football League, they play their home matches at the Priestfield Stadium...
.
Playing career
Although born in IpswichIpswich
Ipswich is a large town and a non-metropolitan district. It is the county town of Suffolk, England. Ipswich is located on the estuary of the River Orwell...
and having grown up supporting Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town F.C.
Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02....
, Pennock began his career with their fiercest rivals, Norwich City
Norwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
, where he progressed through the ranks to turn professional in 1989. He was only to manage one appearance for the Canaries' first team, however, and in 1992 he was allowed to move to AFC Bournemouth for a fee of £30,000. He was a regular for the Cherries until he suffered a knee injury in December 1995 and was unable to regain his place in the team. In October 1996 his former Bournemouth manager, Tony Pulis
Tony Pulis
Anthony Richard "Tony" Pulis is a Welsh former football player and is currently the manager of Stoke City. Pulis obtained his FA coaching badge at the age of 19, followed by his UEFA 'A' licence aged 21 – making him one of the youngest professional players ever to have obtained the qualification...
signed him for Gillingham
Gillingham F.C.
Gillingham Football Club is an English professional football club based in the town of Gillingham, Kent. The only Kent-based club in the Football League, they play their home matches at the Priestfield Stadium...
for £25,000.
Pennock spent over six years at Priestfield Stadium
Priestfield Stadium
Priestfield Stadium is a football stadium in Gillingham, Kent...
where he was a regular in the first team until a recurring knee injury took its toll. He developed a reputation as a practical joker whilst with Gillingham - during one pre-season friendly he switched on the pitch sprinkler system during the match. He also scored a memorable own goal against Wigan Athletic
Wigan Athletic F.C.
Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW...
in 2000 which spawned a recurring terrace chant of "He only scores own goals". Such was his affinity with the fans that he even acquired his own fan club. On the pitch, he was named captain for the play-off final in 2000 which saw the Gills promoted to the Football League First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
for the first time in their history.
Injuries forced Pennock to retire from League football in 2003, after which he signed for Football Conference
Football Conference
The Football Conference is a football league in England which consists of three divisions called Conference National, Conference North, and Conference South. Some Football Conference clubs are fully professional, such as Luton Town, but most of them are semi-professional...
side Gravesend & Northfleet
Gravesend & Northfleet F.C.
Ebbsfleet United Football Club is an English professional football team currently playing in the Conference National. The team plays their home matches at Stonebridge Road in Northfleet, Kent. However, the club is now looking to build a new stadium in the Ebbsfleet Valley vicinity in...
, where he was also assistant manager.
In January 2006 he was involved in a dispute with Gillingham chairman Paul Scally
Paul Scally
Paul Damien Phillip Scally is a London-born businessman who has been the chairman of association football club Gillingham since 1995.-Career:...
over a testimonial match which Pennock alleges he was promised as part of his final contract at Gillingham but which never materialised.
Managerial career
In January 2005 Pennock was appointed manager of Welling UnitedWelling United F.C.
Welling United Football Club are an English football club, based in Welling in the London Borough of Bexley. They currently play in the Conference South. The 2010–11 season was not a good one for them as the club had financial problems, nearly going bankrupt but lots of supporters chipped in and...
of the Conference South
Conference South
Conference South is one of the second divisions of the Football Conference in England, taking its place immediately below the Conference National...
and by the end of the season had guided them to their best league position for six years. He left Welling at the end of the 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...
season to take up a coaching position at Stoke City
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
, under his former Gillingham manager, Tony Pulis
Tony Pulis
Anthony Richard "Tony" Pulis is a Welsh former football player and is currently the manager of Stoke City. Pulis obtained his FA coaching badge at the age of 19, followed by his UEFA 'A' licence aged 21 – making him one of the youngest professional players ever to have obtained the qualification...
.