Chris Vinnicombe
Encyclopedia
Chris Vinnicombe is a professional footballer and former manager of Tiverton Town.
's youth system, and made his professional debut for the club in 1989. After just four months with his first club, Scottish giants Rangers
paid £150,000 for Vinnicombe on 3 November 1989.
Vinnicombe won a Scottish Premier League
winners' medal in 1991
, but over the next few years found it harder to break into Rangers' very successful side, and on 30 June 1994, after only 27 appearances in nearly five years, he joined Burnley
for £200,000.
in the summer of 1998 on a free transfer.
After a slow start at Adams Park
, Vinnicombe became a successful player at Wycombe, and under Lawrie Sanchez
became the club's first choice left-back. He featured in the club's remarkable run to the FA Cup
semi-final in 2001
and the following year he was voted "Supporters' Player of the Year". After Wycombe's relegation from the Second Division
in 2004, new manager Tony Adams
decided to clear out much of the existing team, and after making over 250 appearances, Vinnicombe was one of the players to leave, on 1 July.
, joining non-league side Tiverton Town
for a year before returning to St. James' Park on 12 August 2005. Since his return he was largely on the fringes of Exeter's first-team and he was released on 31 May 2006 after only 3 appearances in the whole season.
Chris returned to Tiverton in 2006 for his second attempt with the club. During this time he also took charge of the Tiverton Town academy, a programme set up in association with the East Devon College which is based in Tiverton. He was voted the "Manager's Player of the Year" for the 2006-07 season and received the titles of "Travel Club Player of the Year", "Supporters' Player of the Year" and "WWW Player of the Year" in the subsequent season. By the beginning of the 2008-09 season, Vinnicombe was the manager of the Tiverton Under-18s squad.
, who are in the South-West Peninsula Premier Division,in 2008 as player-manager taking charge at a time when Witheridge were struggling at the foot of the table but under Vinnicombe's guidance managed to finish the season in 11th place.
Chris Vinnicombe resigned as Witheridge manager on 3rd June 2010.
manager on 7th June 2010 after resigning as the Witheridge boss.
The club released a statement on their official website saying the following: The club are delighted to confirm that Chris Vinnicombe has been appointed as Manager. Vinny said he was really looking forward to the new season, but his first job was to put in place his number two. He hoped to get this position filled quickly so he can then start speaking to the current squad of players.
The former Rangers
defender handed in his notice at Edge Down Park in early June making it appear inevitable that he will be introduced as the new Yellows chief. It is believed that one of the former Exeter City
man's first tasks in charge will be to appoint Mark Saunders
as his assistant manager.
On the 23rd November 2010 Vinnicombe stepped down as manager of Tiverton Town
by mutual agreement, after several talks with the Ladysmead board of directors. The following message appeared on the club's website: By mutual agreement Chris Vinnicombe has stepped down as Tiverton Manager with immediate effect. Mark Saunders will be in temporary control of the team.
In December 2010 Vinnicombe took over as manager of another Tiverton based team, Elmore F.C.
in 1991 team, for whom he won 12 caps, some of which were as captain.
Exeter City and Rangers (1986–1994)
Vinnicombe is a product of 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...
's youth system, and made his professional debut for the club in 1989. After just four months with his first club, Scottish giants Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
paid £150,000 for Vinnicombe on 3 November 1989.
Vinnicombe won a Scottish Premier League
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
winners' medal in 1991
1990-91 in Scottish football
The 1990–91 season was the 94th season of competitive football in Scotland. It was notable for the fact that there was a last day title decider at Ibrox between Rangers and Aberdeen. Both teams went into the match level on points and goal difference, but Rangers needed to win the match...
, but over the next few years found it harder to break into Rangers' very successful side, and on 30 June 1994, after only 27 appearances in nearly five years, he joined Burnley
Burnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
for £200,000.
Burnley and Wycombe Wanderers (1994–2004)
Chris spent four years at Burnley, making 114 appearances and scoring 4 goals, before moving on to 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...
in the summer of 1998 on a free transfer.
After a slow start at Adams Park
Adams Park
Adams Park is a football stadium in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. It is the home ground of Wycombe Wanderers F.C. and the Aviva Premiership Rugby Union club London Wasps...
, Vinnicombe became a successful player at Wycombe, and under Lawrie Sanchez
Lawrie Sanchez
Lawrence Philip "Lawrie" Sanchez is a former Northern Irish football manager, and a former player. He is currently the manager of League Two side Barnet...
became the club's first choice left-back. He featured in the club's remarkable run to 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...
semi-final in 2001
2000-01 in English football
The 2000–01 season was the 121st season of competitive football in England.-Overview:Manchester United secured their 3rd Premiership title in succession and their 7th title in just nine seasons...
and the following year he was voted "Supporters' Player of the Year". After Wycombe's relegation from the Second Division
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
in 2004, new manager Tony Adams
Tony Adams (footballer)
Tony Alexander Adams, MBE is an English football manager and former player.Adams spent his entire playing career of 22 years as a defender at Arsenal. He is considered one of the greatest Arsenal players of all time by the club's own fans and was included in the Football League 100 Legends...
decided to clear out much of the existing team, and after making over 250 appearances, Vinnicombe was one of the players to leave, on 1 July.
Tiverton Town, Exeter City and Tiverton Town again (2004–2008)
Upon being released from Wanderers, Vinnicombe returned to DevonDevon
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...
, joining non-league side Tiverton Town
Tiverton Town F.C.
Tiverton Town Football Club are an English football club based in Tiverton. The club are currently members of the Southern Football League South & West Division and play at Ladysmead.-History:...
for a year before returning to St. James' Park on 12 August 2005. Since his return he was largely on the fringes of Exeter's first-team and he was released on 31 May 2006 after only 3 appearances in the whole season.
Chris returned to Tiverton in 2006 for his second attempt with the club. During this time he also took charge of the Tiverton Town academy, a programme set up in association with the East Devon College which is based in Tiverton. He was voted the "Manager's Player of the Year" for the 2006-07 season and received the titles of "Travel Club Player of the Year", "Supporters' Player of the Year" and "WWW Player of the Year" in the subsequent season. By the beginning of the 2008-09 season, Vinnicombe was the manager of the Tiverton Under-18s squad.
Witheridge (2008-2010)
Vinnicombe joined WitheridgeWitheridge F.C.
Witheridge Football Club is a football club based in the village of Witheridge, Devon, England. After finishing second in the Devon and Exeter League in 2005–06, they joined the Devon County League for the 2006–07 season, and then joined the new South West Peninsula League for...
, who are in the South-West Peninsula Premier Division,in 2008 as player-manager taking charge at a time when Witheridge were struggling at the foot of the table but under Vinnicombe's guidance managed to finish the season in 11th place.
Chris Vinnicombe resigned as Witheridge manager on 3rd June 2010.
Tiverton Town (2010)
Vinnicombe was unveiled as the new Tiverton TownTiverton Town F.C.
Tiverton Town Football Club are an English football club based in Tiverton. The club are currently members of the Southern Football League South & West Division and play at Ladysmead.-History:...
manager on 7th June 2010 after resigning as the Witheridge boss.
The club released a statement on their official website saying the following: The club are delighted to confirm that Chris Vinnicombe has been appointed as Manager. Vinny said he was really looking forward to the new season, but his first job was to put in place his number two. He hoped to get this position filled quickly so he can then start speaking to the current squad of players.
The former Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
defender handed in his notice at Edge Down Park in early June making it appear inevitable that he will be introduced as the new Yellows chief. It is believed that one of the former Exeter City
Exeter 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...
man's first tasks in charge will be to appoint Mark Saunders
Mark Saunders
Mark Saunders, is a British record producer who has worked on a number of albums. He relocated to New York City in 1996 and currently works from his facility in Manhattan - Beat360 Studios....
as his assistant manager.
On the 23rd November 2010 Vinnicombe stepped down as manager of Tiverton Town
Tiverton Town F.C.
Tiverton Town Football Club are an English football club based in Tiverton. The club are currently members of the Southern Football League South & West Division and play at Ladysmead.-History:...
by mutual agreement, after several talks with the Ladysmead board of directors. The following message appeared on the club's website: By mutual agreement Chris Vinnicombe has stepped down as Tiverton Manager with immediate effect. Mark Saunders will be in temporary control of the team.
In December 2010 Vinnicombe took over as manager of another Tiverton based team, Elmore F.C.
Elmore F.C.
Elmore F.C. are a football club based in Tiverton, Devon, England. They currently play in the Western League Division One.-Club history:The club was founded in 1947 and joined the South Western League in 1974 and played there for four years before gaining admittance to the Western Football League...
International career
Vinnicombe played for the England under-21England national under-21 football team
England's national Under-21 football team, also known as England Under-21s or England U21, is considered to be the feeder team for the England national football team....
in 1991 team, for whom he won 12 caps, some of which were as captain.