# Alex Sykes

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**Alex Sykes** (born 2 April 1974) is an English football manager and former professional [footballer](/source/Association_football) who played as a [midfielder](/source/Midfielder_(association_football)#midfielder). He also played internationally for the [England Futsal](/source/England_national_futsal_team) side. He is currently assistant manager of [Evesham United](/source/Evesham_United_F.C.).

## Career

Sykes was a product of the youth setups at both [Hereford United](/source/Hereford_United_F.C.) and [Mansfield Town](/source/Mansfield_Town_F.C.).[1] He had originally begun his career with [Westfields](/source/Westfields_F.C.) who received a club record fee of £4,000 from Mansfield for his services in 1992.[2] He made his senior debut for Mansfield in a Football League match against [Walsall](/source/Walsall_F.C.), scoring on his debut. He turned down the offer of a new contract from manager [Andy King](/source/Andy_King_(footballer,_born_1956)) to attend university in [Cheltenham](/source/Cheltenham) at the [University of Gloucestershire](/source/University_of_Gloucestershire).

During this time he played for defunct [Hellenic League](/source/Hellenic_Football_League) club Endsleigh, and also for the reserves at [Cheltenham Town](/source/Cheltenham_Town_F.C.). He signed for [Forest Green Rovers](/source/Forest_Green_Rovers_F.C.) in March 1996 and was part of their successful double league winning side that won back-to-back promotions into the [Football Conference](/source/Football_Conference) in 1998 under Frank Gregan.

In 1999, Sykes reached the final of the [FA Trophy](/source/FA_Trophy) with Forest Green at [Wembley Stadium](/source/Wembley_Stadium) but the club lost 1–0 against [Kingstonian](/source/Kingstonian_F.C.). He finished as top goal scorer in the competition that season and scored in the semi-final second leg against [St Albans City](/source/St_Albans_City_F.C.).

He then joined fellow Conference side [Nuneaton Borough](/source/Nuneaton_Town_F.C.), ruling out the opportunity to sign for [Stevenage Borough](/source/Stevenage_F.C.).[3][4] His first goal for Nuneaton Borough came on 28 August 2000 in a 4–2 away defeat against [Morecambe](/source/Morecambe_F.C.).[5] He helped the club to an [FA Cup](/source/FA_Cup) giant killing against [Stoke City](/source/Stoke_City_F.C.) however he returned to Forest Green on loan in March 2001 until the end of the season. He made 7 appearances on loan back at Forest Green scoring 2 goals, the first of which again came against [Morecambe](/source/Morecambe_F.C.) in April 2001.[6] He missed the club's 2001 FA Trophy final defeat against [Canvey Island](/source/Canvey_Island_F.C.) at [Villa Park](/source/Villa_Park) because he had been cup tied from playing for Nuneaton in a previous round.

Sykes returned to Nuneaton for the [2001–02](/source/2001%E2%80%9302_in_English_football) campaign but re-joined Forest Green permanently under the management of former [England](/source/England_national_football_team) international [Nigel Spink](/source/Nigel_Spink) in January 2002. This was a swap deal with [Lee Howey](/source/Lee_Howey) moving the other way. His two final goals for Nuneaton Borough came in one match on 18 September 2001 when his brace helped Nuneaton to a point in an away game against [Doncaster Rovers](/source/Doncaster_Rovers_F.C.).[7] He made his third debut for the club in a 1–1 away draw against [Dagenham & Redbridge](/source/Dagenham_%26_Redbridge_F.C.) on 19 January 2002.[8] In November 2002, he featured in Forest Green's 0-0 [FA Cup](/source/FA_Cup) first round draw with [Exeter City](/source/Exeter_City_F.C.) which was broadcast live on [Match of the Day](/source/Match_of_the_Day).[9]

A loan move to [Bath City](/source/Bath_City_F.C.) in September 2003 saw Sykes gain match fitness and he joined Bath permanently in September 2004 after making his final Forest Green appearance in an away defeat against [Halifax Town](/source/F.C._Halifax_Town).[10] He was a part of the Bath side who pulled off a cup shock beating [Barnet](/source/Barnet_F.C.) away from home in the [FA Cup](/source/FA_Cup) first round in November 2004.[11] That result saw Sykes feature in the second round where Bath lost 2–0 away to [Football League](/source/Football_League) side [Peterborough United](/source/Peterborough_United_F.C.).[12]

Sykes suffered from injury problems at [Twerton Park](/source/Twerton_Park) and was loaned out to [Gloucester City](/source/Gloucester_City_A.F.C.) to play under his former manager at Forest Green, [Tim Harris](/source/Tim_Harris_(footballer)). He made his debut against [Aylesbury United](/source/Aylesbury_United_F.C.) in December 2005 and played six times in his loan spell before returning to Bath.[13] At the end of the season he was released by Bath and re-signed permanently for Gloucester.

He went on to make his second full debut against [Maidenhead United](/source/Maidenhead_United_F.C.) in August 2006. He played a pivotal role in Gloucester's 2008–09 season as they gained promotion through the [Southern League](/source/Southern_Football_League) play-offs. Sykes scored 27 goals including a hat-trick at home to [Mangotsfield United](/source/Mangotsfield_United_F.C.).

He spent a few months of the 2009–10 season with Gloucester City in the [Conference North](/source/Conference_North) as well as a short loan spell at [Shortwood United](/source/Shortwood_United_F.C.), before departing in December 2009 for [Bishop's Cleeve](/source/Bishops_Cleeve_F.C.) to take on the role of player/assistant manager at Kayte Lane.[14]

In October 2020, he came out of retirement at the age of 46 to sign for [Hellenic Premier Division](/source/Hellenic_Football_League) side [Longlevens](/source/Longlevens_A.F.C.).

## Coaching

In May 2011, Sykes was appointed as manager of Bishop's Cleeve following the shock sacking of Paul Collicut.[15][16] In his first season as manager, he led Bishop's Cleeve to the club's record high league finish of 11th in the Southern League South & West Division - the club's highest finish in its 107-year history. He also led the club to the final of the [Gloucestershire Senior Cup](/source/Gloucestershire_Senior_Cup) where they lost against [Bristol City](/source/Bristol_City_F.C.) at [Ashton Gate](/source/Ashton_Gate_Stadium). On the way to the final Bishop's Cleeve defeated the likes of [Forest Green Rovers](/source/Forest_Green_Rovers_F.C.), [Bristol Rovers](/source/Bristol_Rovers_F.C.) and [Cheltenham Town](/source/Cheltenham_Town_F.C.).

At the end of his second season as boss, in April 2013, Sykes stepped down from his role as manager at the club.[17] Just a month later however, and it was announced that Sykes had become joint-manager at fellow Southern League club [Shortwood United](/source/Shortwood_United_F.C.) alongside John Evans.[18] In October 2013, he helped lead Shortwood into the first round of the [FA Cup](/source/F.A._Cup) for the first time in their history with an away fourth qualifying round replay win over [Aldershot Town](/source/Aldershot_Town_F.C.).[19][20] The club went on to host [Port Vale](/source/Port_Vale_F.C.) in a live televised clash in the first round on 11 November 2013 however suffered a 4–0 defeat.[21][22] At the end of his first season as joint-boss at Shortwood, he helped lead the club to a 6th-place finish, ending the campaign just one point off the play-offs. He would eventually take sole charge of the club following the retirement of John Evans at the end of the [2015–16](/source/2015%E2%80%9316_in_English_football) season.[23] After leading the side for the [2016–17](/source/2016%E2%80%9317_in_English_football) season, he left Shortwood in April 2017.[24]

In January 2018, Sykes was appointed as assistant manager at [Southern Premier Division](/source/Southern_Football_League) side [Redditch United](/source/Redditch_United_F.C.), working under manager [Tim Harris](/source/Tim_Harris_(footballer)) who he had played for at both [Gloucester City](/source/Gloucester_City_A.F.C.) and [Forest Green Rovers](/source/Forest_Green_Rovers_F.C.).[25] Following Harris's departure from Redditch in April 2018, Sykes also left the club.[26]

In October 2021 he was appointed manager of [Cinderford Town](/source/Cinderford_Town_A.F.C.).[27] In May 2023, he stepped down from his manager position[28] and was later appointed assistant manager of [Evesham United](/source/Evesham_United_F.C.).[29]

## International

Sykes is a former [England Futsal](/source/England_national_futsal_team) international. He captained his country and scored a hat-trick against Cyprus in May 2006 in a 5–5 draw, this was England's first Futsal international where they avoided defeat.[30] In February 2008, he participated in the Kuala Lumpur World 5's competition.[31] In September 2013, he returned to futsal, signing for the UoG Futsal Club.[32]

## Honours

****As a player******[Forest Green Rovers](/source/Forest_Green_Rovers_F.C.)**

- [Southern League Premier Division](/source/Southern_Football_League) champion: 1997-98
- [Southern League Southern Division](/source/Southern_Football_League) champion: 1996-97
- [FA Trophy](/source/FA_Trophy) runner up: 1998-99

**[Gloucester City](/source/Gloucester_City_A.F.C.)**

- [Southern League Premier Division](/source/Southern_Football_League) play-off winner: 2008-09
- [Gloucestershire Senior Cup](/source/Gloucestershire_Senior_Cup) runner up: 2008–09, 2009–10

**[Bath City](/source/Bath_City_F.C.)**

- [Southern League Premier Division](/source/Southern_Football_League) play-off runner up: 2005-06

****As a manager****

**[Bishop's Cleeve](/source/Bishops_Cleeve_F.C.)**

- [Gloucestershire Senior Cup](/source/Gloucestershire_Senior_Cup) runner up: 2011-12

**[Shortwood United](/source/Shortwood_United_F.C.)**

- [Gloucestershire Senior Cup](/source/Gloucestershire_Senior_Cup) runner up: 2014-15

## References

1. ["Mansfield Town 1946/47-2007-08"](http://www.neilbrown.newcastlefans.com/mansfield/mansfield.html). neilbrown.newcastlefans.com/mansfield.

1. ["Westfields Football Club old-boy Alex Sykes out to mastermind Shortwood United FA Cup win against League One Port Vale"](https://www.herefordtimes.com/sport/10787757.Westfields_Football_Club_old_boy_Alex_Sykes_out_to_mastermind_Shortwood_United_FA_Cup_win_against_League_One_Port_Vale/). *Hereford Times*. 8 November 2013. Retrieved 25 May 2014.

1. ["Gittens joins Nuneaton Borough"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/n/nuneaton_borough/872165.stm). BBC Sport. 9 August 2000.

1. ["First Home League Match for the Borough"](https://www.cwn.org.uk/sport/football/nuneaton-borough/2000/08/000821-nuneaton-opener.htm). cwn.org.uk. 21 August 2000.

1. ["Morecambe 4-2 Nuneaton"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_conf/898676.stm). BBC Sport. 28 August 2000. Retrieved 29 September 2014.

1. ["Morecambe 0-2 Forest Green"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_conf/1286272.stm). BBC Sport. 21 April 2001. Retrieved 29 September 2014.

1. ["Doncaster 2-2 Nuneaton"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_conf/1545907.stm). BBC Sport. 18 September 2001.

1. ["Dag & Red 1-1 Forest Green"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_conf/1766370.stm). BBC Sport. 19 January 2002.

1. ["Forest Green 0-0 Exeter"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/2480783.stm). BBC Sport. 17 November 2002.

1. ["'S' Past Players"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110713010715/http://ilovebathcity.com/index_golf.htm). ilovebathcity.com. Archived from [the original](http://www.ilovebathcity.com/index_golf.htm) on 13 July 2011.

1. ["Barnet 1-2 Bath City"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/3988139.stm). BBC Sport. 13 November 2004.

1. ["Peterborough 2-0 Bath City"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/4047589.stm). BBC Sport. 4 December 2004.

1. ["As expected - Mustoe gets Tigers' post"](https://web.archive.org/web/20121002194752/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=32140). NonLeagueDaily.com. 1 January 2006. Archived from [the original](http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=32140) on 2 October 2012.

1. ["Bishops Cleeve sign Sykes from Gloucester City"](https://archive.today/20120914141627/http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/news/Bishops-Cleeve-sign-Sykes-Gloucester-City/article-1566408-detail/article.html). thisisgloucestershire. 2 December 2009. Archived from [the original](http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/news/Bishops-Cleeve-sign-Sykes-Gloucester-City/article-1566408-detail/article.html) on 14 September 2012. Retrieved 27 March 2011.

1. ["New boss Sykes fired up for Cleeve challenge"](https://archive.today/20120917124708/http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/sport/New-boss-Sykes-fired-Cleeve-challenge/article-3526620-detail/article.html). thisisgloucestershire. 6 May 2011. Archived from [the original](http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/sport/New-boss-Sykes-fired-Cleeve-challenge/article-3526620-detail/article.html) on 17 September 2012. Retrieved 6 May 2011.

1. ["Sykes relishes Cleeve challenge"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110724171737/http://sportglos.co.uk/?p=2779). SportGlos. 6 May 2011. Archived from [the original](http://sportglos.co.uk/?p=2779) on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 9 May 2011.

1. ["Sykes quits as Bishop's Cleeve boss"](https://web.archive.org/web/20131101103655/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=93375). Non League Daily. 30 April 2013. Archived from [the original](http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=93375) on 1 November 2013.

1. ["Sykes joints Shortwood as joint-manager"](https://web.archive.org/web/20131101103739/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=93939). Non League Daily. 24 May 2013. Archived from [the original](http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=93939) on 1 November 2013.

1. ["Shortwood: FA Cup progress delights joint boss Alex Sykes"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/24743400). BBC Sport. 30 October 2013.

1. ["Shortwood United shock Aldershot Town to set up FA Cup first round home tie against League One Port Vale"](https://www.stroudnewsandjournal.co.uk/sport/10771223.Shortwood_United_shock_Aldershot_Town_to_set_up_FA_Cup_first_round_home_tie_against_League_One_Port_Vale/?ref=mr). Stroud News & Journal. 29 October 2013. Retrieved 30 October 2013.

1. ["Shortwood United 0-4 Port Vale"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/24800067). BBC Sport. 11 November 2013.

1. ["Our Chance To Shine, Says Shortwood United Boss"](https://www.thenonleaguefootballpaper.com/features/the-big-interview/8781/our-chance-to-shine-says-shortwood-united-boss/). Non League Paper. 13 November 2013.

1. ["Shortwood's farewell to boss John Evans and keeper Tom King"](https://www.stroudnewsandjournal.co.uk/news/14449783.FOOTBALL__Shortwood_s_farewell_to_boss_John_Evans_and_keeper_Tom_King/). Stroud News & Journal. 25 April 2016.

1. ["Shortwood United part company with boss Alex Sykes"](https://www.stroudnewsandjournal.co.uk/sport/15217724.BREAKING_NEWS__Shortwood_United_part_company_with_boss_Alex_Sykes/). Stroud News & Journal. 11 April 2017.

1. ["Striker Dior Angus leaves Redditch United for Port Vale"](https://www.redditchadvertiser.co.uk/sport/15802594.Striker_Dior_Angus_leaves_Redditch_United_for_Port_Vale/). Redditch Advertiser. 2 January 2018. Retrieved 2 March 2018.

1. ["Manager Tim Harris to leave Redditch United"](https://www.redditchadvertiser.co.uk/sport/16189240.Manager_Tim_Harris_to_leave_Redditch_United/). Redditch Advertiser. 27 April 2018.

1. [Sykes and Morford to take Cinderford Forward](https://www.cinderfordtown.co.uk/2021/sykes-and-morford-to-take-cinderford-forward/) Cinderford Town, 31 October 2021

1. ["Manager Announcement From Cinderford Town AFC"](https://www.cinderfordtown.co.uk/2023/manager-announcement-from-cinderford-town-afc/). *www.cinderfordtown.co.uk*. 3 May 2023. Retrieved 27 May 2023.

1. ["Alex Sykes Joins Management Team"](https://www.eveshamunitedfc.com/alex-sykes-joins-management-team/). *www.eveshamunitedfc.com*. 24 May 2023. Retrieved 27 May 2023.

1. ["England held by Cyprus"](https://web.archive.org/web/20131202234133/http://www.futsalplanet.com/news/news-01.asp?id=6050). Futsal Planet. 30 May 2006. Archived from [the original](http://www.futsalplanet.com/news/news-01.asp?id=6050) on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 30 September 2011.

1. ["Diary from Kuala Lumpur"](https://www.thefa.com/England/england-futsal/News/2009/player_diary3). thefa.com. 1 February 2008.

1. ["Sykes is the 'New' Addition"](https://web.archive.org/web/20131202234347/http://www.universalfutsal.com/sykes-is-the-next-addition/). universalfutsal.com. 9 September 2013. Archived from [the original](http://www.universalfutsal.com/sykes-is-the-next-addition/) on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 26 November 2013.

## External links

- [Sykes player history](http://www.tigerroar.co.uk/alexsykes.php) at Gloucester City
- [Syker player profile](http://www.t-ender.co.uk/players/sykesalex.htm) at Gloucester City
- [Sykes Futsal for England](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQXQ3wSK3Dg)
- [SportGlos Special](https://web.archive.org/web/20110724171625/http://sportglos.co.uk/?p=2141) on Sykes
- [Fifa Futsal World Cup](http://en.uefa.com/futsalworldcup/teams/player=90874/index.html)[dead link] player profile

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Alex Sykes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_Sykes) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_Sykes?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.