Jim Gannon facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Jim Gannon

Gannon celebrating winning the National League North as Stockport County manager in April 2019
Personal information
Full name	James Paul Gannon
Date of birth	(1968-09-07) 7 September 1968 (age 56)
Place of birth	Southwark, London, England
Height	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Position(s)	Centre-half; various
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1987–1989	Dundalk	17	(1)
1989–1990	Sheffield United	0	(0)
1990	→ Halifax Town (loan)	2	(0)
1990–2000	Stockport County	383	(52)
1994	→ Notts County (loan)	2	(0)
2000–2001	Crewe Alexandra	7	(0)
2001–2004	Shelbourne	48	(3)
Total		459	(56)
Managerial career
2004–2005	Dundalk
2005–2009	Stockport County
2009	Motherwell
2010	Peterborough United
2011	Port Vale
2011–2013	Stockport County
2013–2016	Northwich Victoria
2016–2021	Stockport County
2021–2022	Hyde United
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

James Paul Gannon (born 7 September 1968) is a professional football manager and former player. He started and finished his playing career in Ireland. Most of his professional games were in the English Football League for Stockport County. Fans there even voted him into their Hall of Fame.

Gannon began playing for Dundalk in Ireland. He then moved to England to play for Sheffield United in 1989. The next year, he joined Stockport County after a short loan at Halifax Town. He stayed at Stockport for ten years, becoming a very important player. He helped the club get promoted twice and reach two Football League Trophy finals. After leaving Stockport in 2000, he played for Crewe Alexandra. He then returned to Ireland with Shelbourne, where he won two League of Ireland Premier Division titles.

After his playing career, Gannon became a manager. He first managed Dundalk in 2004. A year later, he returned to Stockport County as their manager. He led Stockport to promotion from League Two in 2008 through the play-offs. Even when the club faced financial difficulties and had points deducted, he helped them stay in League One. He later managed Motherwell in Scotland and Peterborough United in England. In 2011, he managed Port Vale for a short time. He returned to Stockport County for a second time in 2011, and then for a third time in 2016. In his third spell, he led Stockport to win the National League North championship in 2019. He left Stockport in 2021 and later had a brief spell managing Hyde United.

Early Life and Football Start

Gannon was born in Southwark, South London. His family moved to Ireland when he was young. He sees himself as a "working class Irish Catholic".

Playing for Dundalk and Sheffield United

In 1987, Gannon started his higher-level football career with the Irish club Dundalk. During his time there, he played in important European competitions like the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. Dundalk had a very successful period, winning both the FAI Cup and the League of Ireland Premier Division in the 1987–88 season.

His strong performances for Dundalk led to him moving to the English club Sheffield United in 1989. However, he found it hard to get into the main team there. He also spent a short time on loan at Halifax Town in 1989–90, playing two games.

Becoming a Stockport County Legend

In 1990, Gannon joined Stockport County. He stayed with the club for ten years. During this time, Stockport won promotion twice and played at Wembley four times.

Early in his time at Stockport, some fans were unsure about his performances. But he soon became a fan favorite after moving from a defender to a midfielder who scored goals. Stockport fans nicknamed him 'The Ghost' because he would often appear in the box to score from crosses. They also called him "Big Jimbo".

In the 1990–91 season, County earned promotion from the Fourth Division. Gannon played at Wembley for the first time in 1992, when Stockport lost in the Football League Trophy final. They also reached the play-off final that same season but were defeated at Wembley again. The next year, County returned to the Football League Trophy final but lost once more.

In 1994, Gannon had a short loan spell at Notts County. He then made his fourth trip to Wembley with Stockport, but they lost in the Second Division play-off final. The team finally achieved promotion from this division in the 1996–97 season. Gannon was a key part of their strong defense. The following season, County finished eighth in the First Division.

In March 2000, Gannon suffered a serious knee injury that kept him out of action for several months. He later left the club in November 2000 after some disagreements about his contract.

Later Playing Career

After leaving Stockport, Gannon joined Crewe Alexandra for a short period. He then took a break from football to study accountancy.

In August 2001, Gannon returned to Ireland to play for Shelbourne. He became team captain and helped the team win the League of Ireland Premier Division in 2001–02. He also played in the UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds, scoring a goal. He helped Shelbourne win another league title in 2003.

Jim Gannon has a special record: he scored goals in all four English football divisions, plus various cup competitions like the FA Cup and League Cup, and also in Irish leagues and the UEFA Champions League. Stockport fans have honored him by electing him to their Hall of Fame and making him an Honorary Vice President of their supporters' club. He is third on Stockport's all-time appearance list with 479 games and ninth in their scoring records with 65 goals.

Managerial Career Highlights

First Manager Job at Dundalk

In June 2004, Gannon became a manager for the first time at Dundalk, his former club. The team finished sixth in the League of Ireland First Division in 2004. He left Dundalk in November 2005.

Leading Stockport County to Success

In November 2005, Gannon returned to Stockport County as a director. When the manager left, Gannon took over as a temporary manager. The team was struggling at the bottom of League Two.

Gannon's team started playing much better, going undefeated in his first four league games. He was then offered the manager job full-time and helped County avoid being relegated. The team earned more than twice as many points in the second half of the season. Fans loved him because he was a dedicated Stockport supporter and already a club legend.

Aiming for Promotion

At the start of the 2006–07 season, Gannon and Stockport announced a plan to reach the Championship within five years. The team showed great form, winning nine games in a row without letting in a single goal. County just missed out on the League Two play-offs at the end of the season, even after a big 5–0 win.

Wembley Victory

Gannon as Stockport County manager in April 2008.

The 2007–08 season began with a friendly game in memory of Danny Bergara, the manager who brought Gannon to County as a player. County finished fourth in the league that season. They then won their play-off semi-final against Wycombe Wanderers.

Gannon had played at Wembley four times as a player but never won there. As manager, he finally led Stockport to victory at Wembley! Their 3–2 win over Rochdale earned Stockport promotion to League One. Gannon was seen as one of the best young managers in the lower leagues for taking Stockport from the bottom of League Two to League One with a small budget.

Financial Challenges and Departure

The 2008–09 season started well for County in League One. However, the club soon faced financial difficulties. Gannon stayed loyal to the club despite rumors of him moving to other teams.

In February 2009, Gannon had talks with Brighton & Hove Albion about their manager job. He decided not to take the job and chose to stay with Stockport.

In the final weeks of the season, County faced serious financial problems and had ten points deducted. This put them close to the relegation zone. Soon after the season ended, Gannon left Stockport as part of cost-cutting measures.

Managing Motherwell

In June 2009, Gannon became the manager of Motherwell in the Scottish Premier League. He took charge just two days before their Europa League qualifying match. He aimed to bring in new players to strengthen the team.

Motherwell lost Gannon's first Europa League game but then won the second leg to advance. They continued to progress before being knocked out by a Romanian team. Gannon was named Manager of the Month for October 2009. However, he had some disagreements with the Scottish football authorities and even with his club captain. He left Motherwell in December 2009.

Short Spells at Peterborough and Port Vale

On 2 February 2010, Gannon was appointed manager of Peterborough United, who were at the bottom of the Championship. He aimed to bring "pride" back to the club. He won his first game in charge. Gannon was known for using unique tactical formations. He left Peterborough in March 2010, saying family commitments made him unable to stay longer.

In January 2011, Gannon became the manager of Port Vale. He aimed for the club to finish in the top seven. He brought in several players on loan. However, the team's results were poor, and there were reports of disagreements within the club. Gannon left Port Vale in March 2011 after a very short time in charge.

Second Return to Stockport County

Gannon as Stockport County manager in 2012

In November 2011, Gannon returned to Stockport County as their director of football and manager. The club had struggled since his last departure, being relegated and not winning many games. Gannon's goal was to prevent the club from being relegated again.

His second spell started with some tough losses, including a 7–0 defeat. Gannon admitted that the club's financial situation made it hard to change players. He said, "It has always been my club, so it's my responsibility to make things better." He made some changes to the squad. Stockport managed to stay in the league, finishing 16th.

For the 2012–13 season, Gannon continued to build the team. However, County struggled again, and Gannon felt it was due to the club's reduced budget. He left Stockport again in January 2013.

Managing Northwich Victoria

In December 2013, Gannon became the new manager of Northwich Victoria. The team finished ninth in the 2013–14 season. They reached the play-offs in 2014–15 but lost in the semi-finals. He also led the club on a good run in the FA Cup in 2015–16, where they were the lowest-ranked team left in the competition before being knocked out.

Third Spell at Stockport County

Gannon became manager of Stockport County for the third time in January 2016. The club was now in the National League North. He started well, leading the team to the Cheshire Senior Cup final and improving their league position. He signed a new contract in December.

County finished eighth in the 2016–17 season. Gannon was praised for helping player Danny Lloyd improve his career. County qualified for the play-offs in the 2017–18 season, finishing fifth, but lost in the qualifying round.

In the 2018–19 season, County reached the second round of the FA Cup. Gannon was named Manager of the Month for December 2018 as his team climbed the league table. They went on to win the National League North championship, ending their six-year stay in the sixth tier of English football. Gannon was named National League North Manager of the Year for 2018–19.

The 2019–20 season was stopped early due to world events. Stockport were in a play-off spot but dropped to eighth place based on points per game. On 21 January 2021, Gannon left Stockport County, with the club stating the decision was "not results based but is centered around culture." In July 2021, he started working as a Football Education Programme Manager at Oldham Athletic.

Managing Hyde United

On 31 August 2021, Gannon was announced as the new manager of Hyde United. He said he wanted to build on the club's existing ideas. He left Hyde United in February 2022.

Managerial Style and Philosophy

Jim Gannon is one of the few managers in the lower leagues who holds a full UEFA Pro Licence, which is a very high coaching qualification.

He believes in playing attractive, passing football. He often speaks out against teams he feels play too physically. His teams have won fair play awards, which he believes comes from "good principles that lead to good football."

"My philosophy is good passing football, it is how I believe the game should be played and it brings out the best in players. It inspires them and motivates them to play football in the right manner."

Gannon is also known for using unusual formations, sometimes called a "tactical maverick." He likes formations with four lines of players, like 4–2–3–1, because he feels they offer more depth in defense and presence in midfield. He was inspired by famous managers like Carlo Ancelotti. He is very detailed and thorough in preparing his players for games.

Gannon is known for being outspoken and has had disagreements with players, referees, and other football figures.

Career Statistics

Playing statistics

A.  The "Other" column includes games and goals in the League Cup, Football League Trophy, Football League play-offs and Full Members Cup.

Managerial statistics

Honours and Achievements

As a Player

Dundalk

• League of Ireland Premier Division: 1987–88
• FAI Cup: 1987–88

Stockport County

• Football League Second Division second-place promotion: 1996–97
• Football League Fourth Division second-place promotion: 1990–91
• Football League Trophy runner-up: 1991–92, 1992–93

Shelbourne

• League of Ireland Premier Division: 2001–02, 2003

As a Manager

Stockport County

• Football League Two play-offs: 2008
• National League North: 2018–19
• Cheshire Senior Cup: 2015–16

Northwich Victoria

• Cheshire Senior Cup: 2013–14

Individual Awards

• Scottish Premier League Manager of the Month: October 2009
• National League North Manager of the Year: 2018–19
• National League North Manager of the Month: December 2016, December 2018