Eighth tier Sheffield appoint 300-game former EFL player as new manager

Eighth tier Sheffield have chosen to appoint 300-game former EFL player Ryan Cresswell as their new manager, confirmed earlier this week.

The world’s first football club sit 16th out of 19th teams within the Northern Premier League Division One East, taking 10 points from 13 games played so far.

Cresswell’s first game in charge was a 0-0 draw against Stockton Town, and now he will hoping to get a win at home to Ossett United who are riding high in 5th place with the new boss knowing what a big job he has on his hands to try and turn Sheffield’s fortunes around.

Sheffield FC are pleased to announce the appointments of first team manager Ryan Cresswell, assistant manager Spencer Fearn, and first team coach Jamie Yates #theworldsfirst pic.twitter.com/uzOgKlNKIi

— Sheffield Football Club (@sheffieldfc) November 9, 2021

CLUB STATEMENT:

We are pleased to announce that Sheffield Football Club have appointed Ryan Cresswell as first team manager.

Ryan, 33, has vast playing experience within the game and had stacked up just short of 300 Football League appearances with the Millers, Northampton Town, Southend United and Fleetwood Town in his playing career.

Spencer Fearn will also be joining Ryan in the dugout. Spencer’s has brings with him vast experience within the non league game. He is a UEFA A Licence holder, Johan Cruyff Master of Coaching, Master in Sports Management, CEO of a Sporting Organisation and has Level 7 qualifications in Strategic Management. He is currently working towards not one, but two Masters’ Degrees in Football Performance and Coaching and the MSc Sports Directorship

We are also pleased to announce that Club Legend and favourite Jamie Yates will be joining the management team as first team coach.

– STATEMENT ENDS –

Ryan Cresswell said in an interview: “What has struck me already is the real togetherness of the lads and the willingness to work hard and start getting some positive results for this wonderful football club.”

MORE ABOUT RYAN CRESSWELL:

A graduate of the Sheffield United youth academy, Rotherham-born Cresswell failed to break in the first team and was hence loaned to clubs in the lower divisions of English football. In 2008, after being released by Sheffield United, he signed for Bury in League Two. Playing more than 50 matches for the club, he joined Rotherham United two seasons later.

Cresswell again changed clubs in 2012, penning a contract for Southend United. He was named in the League Two PFA Team of the Year for the 2012–13 season. The following season, he was transferred to Fleetwood Town with whom, he won promotion to League One. In 2014, after failing to make much impact at Fleetwood he again came to League Two, joining Northampton Town.

Between 2016 and 2021, he played for many non league sides, including the likes of Eastleigh, Mickleover Sports, Boston United, Bradford (Park Avenue), Romford and Parkgate.

In March 2020, Cresswell signed with Parkgate, and turned out for them in 2020. At the end of May 2021, Cresswell was hired as a part of Parkgate’s first team coaching staff, and then in September 2021, he was also registered as a part of the player squad.

HONOURS:

Southend United
Football League Trophy runner-up: 2012–13

Northampton Town
Football League Two: 2015–16

Individual
PFA Team of the Year: 2012–13 League Two

Youth career
–2006 – Sheffield United

Senior career
2006–2008 – Sheffield United
2007 → Halifax Town (loan) – 15 games (0 goals)
2007 → Rotherham United (loan) – 3 games (0 goals)
2007 → Morecambe (loan) – 2 games (0 goals)
2008 → Macclesfield Town (loan) – 19 games (1 goal)
2008 → Ferencváros (loan)
2008–2010 – Bury – 53 games (1)
2010–2012 – Rotherham United – 38 games (8 goals)
2012–2013 – Southend United – 43 games (6 goals)
2013–2014 – Fleetwood Town – 21 games (1 goal)
2014–2016 – Northampton Town – 56 games (7 goals)
2016–2018 – Eastleigh – 28 games (2 goals)
2019 – Mickleover Sports
2019 – Boston United – 4 games (1 goal)
2019 – Bradford (Park Avenue) – 6 games (0 goals)
2019–2020 – Romford – 3 games (0 goals)
2020 – Parkgate
2021 – Parkgate

Teams managed
2021 – Parkgate (coach)
2021- Sheffield FC (Manager)

Twitter users gave their reaction as eighth tier Sheffield appoint the 300-game former EFL player as new manager…

@AWas29: Yates and Cresswell teaming up, just like Morecambe at home at Millmoor! Should’ve had more games upfront together to be honest!

@Richiebaker8: Go on cressy. Gaffer in his new suit. Quick George stop before the announcement 😂 all the best mate 👌🏼

@coachtonymee: Love this @cressy_6 come a long way from the Academy U13s and those session plans I used to send you. 😉

@carl_mitch: Good luck @cressy_6 and the lads, great appointment 👏🏼

@MattBarnett2477: Congratulations @cressy_6 I wish you all the luck in the world mate.

@davefrecks: Good luck fellas apart from when we play you.

@AndrewLeng1: Listened to Ryan co commentate on a recent Millers fixture. He came across as very knowledgeable, tactically savvy and articulate. Overall very impressive. Was thinking he’d make a good coach or similar. Great to see him making the step up. Congrats Ryan.

@richard_geee: watch his session on undr the cosh…. brilliant..

@ronniemoore53: Good luck lads you will smash it 👍

@NOTWHOlUSEDTOBE: happy to be joining such a big club! can’t wait to get started 👏

@cal_rufc: love to see it

@ButlerAndy: Last time I saw Yates it was outside the @bostonunited club telling fans he was ready to sign again as he loved it here. 2 days later he signed for Gainsborough…….

@CobblersPast: Good Luck to ex-Cobbler @cressy_6

@stylishkidsriot: Amazing, congrats @cressy_6 you’ve been working hard and it was inevitable it would pay off. Hoping you have a long successful career mate!