Michael Flynn (footballer)

Michael John Samuel Flynn (born 17 October 1980) is a Welsh professional football manager and former player who played as a midfielder. He is currently the manager of EFL League Two club Swindon Town.

Not to be confused with English football player Michael Anthony Flynn. For other people with the same name see Michael Flynn (disambiguation).

Michael Flynn
Flynn in 2019
Personal information
Full name Michael John Samuel Flynn[1]
Date of birth (1980-10-17) 17 October 1980[2]
Place of birth Newport, Wales
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s) Midfielder[2]
Team information
Current team
 Swindon Town (manager)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1999–2000 Newport County 20 (4)
2000–2001 Barry Town 8 (12)
2000–2001 Newport County 3 (1)
2001–2002 Barry Town 12 (12)
2002–2005 Wigan Athletic 37 (2)
2004 → Blackpool (loan) 6 (0)
2005–2007 Gillingham 97 (19)
2007–2008 Blackpool 26 (3)
2008–2009 Huddersfield Town 25 (4)
2008 → Darlington (loan) 4 (0)
2009–2012 Bradford City 91 (10)
2012–2015 Newport County 82 (5)
2015–2017 Undy Athletic 4 (3)
2017–2018 Newport County 5 (0)
Total 420 (75)
Managerial career
2017–2021 Newport County
2022–2023 Walsall
2023– Swindon Town
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Flynn began his career with Newport County, becoming a professional with Barry Town before his break out with Championship side Gillingham. He appeared 91 times for Bradford City. He returned to Newport County and played while obtaining his UEFA Pro License.

Flynn became caretaker manager of Newport County in 2017 amid a relegation battle. After 2017's 'Great Escape', Newport County won FA Cup fixtures against Leeds United, Leicester City and Middlesbrough. In the 2018–19 season Flynn led Newport to the 2019 EFL League Two play-off final against Tranmere Rovers. In cup competitions Newport also played Premier League teams in 2018 Tottenham Hotspur, in 2019 Manchester City and West Ham United. In the 2020–21 EFL Cup Newport beat Championship clubs Swansea City and Watford before losing on penalties to premier league club Newcastle United. In the same season Newport lost to Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion on penalties in the FA Cup and again reached the League Two play-off final, losing to Morecambe 1–0.

Playing career

Born in Newport, Wales,[2] Flynn started his career playing for Newport County in 1999. A move to League of Wales club Barry Town beckoned in 2000. After forty goals in two seasons, including a goal in a 3–1 win over F.C. Porto in the second qualifying round of the Champions League, he moved to Wigan Athletic in the 2002–03 season.

Flynn spent a lot of his time on the substitutes' bench as Wigan won the Division Two title. He made seventeen appearances in the league, fourteen of which came from the bench, and scored one goal. The next season did not start any better for Flynn as he started just one game and made seven appearances from the bench before he was loaned to then League One side Blackpool, where he started six times in the league and once in the FA Cup before returning to Wigan.

In the January transfer window of that season, Flynn joined Championship strugglers Gillingham on a free transfer. Despite his instant success, and his three goals in sixteen starts, Gillingham were relegated to League One on the last day of the season.

Although injury affected his 2005–06 season, Flynn scored six goals. He took over as captain for the 2006–07 season and became top scorer with twelve goals.

It was announced on 8 May 2007 that Flynn had been offered a new contract with Gillingham. He chose not to sign, and left the club when his contract expired at the end of June 2007.

On 5 July 2007, Flynn signed a one-year contract with Blackpool, with an option for a further year. On 3 December 2007, Flynn scored his first goal for Blackpool in the club's 1–1 away draw against Scunthorpe United. On 7 May 2008 he was released by Blackpool. On 23 July 2008, he became Stan Ternent's fifth signing at League One side Huddersfield Town. He, along with five other players, made his Town debut in the 1–1 draw against Stockport County at the Galpharm Stadium on 9 August 2008. On 27 August he scored his first goal for Huddersfield in the second round of the League Cup against Sheffield United. Town went on to lose the game 2–1. His first league goals for Town came in the 3–2 win over Northampton Town at the Galpharm Stadium on 20 September 2008.

Following a short spell on the sidelines following a hamstring injury, he joined Darlington on loan on 27 November 2008. He made his debut in the 1–0 defeat to Morecambe at Christie Park on 13 December. He returned to Huddersfield on 29 December.

On 4 August 2009, Flynn joined local rivals Bradford City on a free transfer. He made his debut four days later in the 5–0 defeat by Notts County at Meadow Lane and scored his first goal of the 2011–12 season in a 3–2 loss to Leeds United. On 28 April 2012 it was announced that he would leave Bradford as his contract was ended by mutual consent along with teammates Chris Mitchell and Craig Fagan.

On 25 July 2012 he re-signed for home-town club Newport County. In the 2012–13 season he was part of the Newport team that finished 3rd in the league, reaching the Conference National playoffs. Newport County won the playoff final versus Wrexham at Wembley Stadium 2–0 to return to the Football League after a 25-year absence with promotion to Football League Two.[3]

In May 2015 Flynn's playing contract came to an end and it was not extended by Newport.[4]

In January 2017 whilst first team coach at Newport Flynn registered as a player. He made his fourth debut for Newport in the League Two match on 28 January 2017 versus Hartlepool United as a second-half substitute.[5]

Coaching career

He earned his UEFA Pro Licence at the same time as Mikel Arteta.[6]

Flynn worked as academy manager for Newport County, before being released (as both player and coach) by Terry Butcher.[7] In 2015 he then joined Welsh Football League Division Two side Undy Athletic as player-coach, intend to combine this part-time role with a job as an estate agent or a publican.[7]

In August 2015, Newport County Supporters Trust took over interim control of the club, and appointed Flynn on a voluntary basis as club ambassador. He would later serve in other roles including marketing until October. On 8 October 2015 Flynn rejoined Newport County as first team coach under new manager John Sheridan.[8] In January 2016 Warren Feeney was appointed team manager and Flynn was retained as first team coach. In July 2016 Newport County appointed Flynn to a newly created role as Football and Business Development Director.[9] In October 2016 Flynn again rejoined the Newport County coaching staff under newly appointed manager Graham Westley.[10][11]

Managerial career

Newport County

On 9 March 2017 Flynn was appointed caretaker manager of Newport County for the remainder of the 2016–17 season following the sacking of Graham Westley with Newport 11 points adrift at the bottom of League Two.[12] Flynn said his wife didn't want him to take the job.[7] Wayne Hatswell returned to the club as Assistant Manager to Flynn. Flynn led the team to Football League survival, avoiding relegation with a win in the final match of the season and confirming the second 'great escape' in the club's history.[13] On 9 May 2017 Flynn was appointed permanent team manager on a two-year contract.[14]

On 7 January 2018 a 2–1 home win over Championship club Leeds United in the FA Cup third round meant Newport progressed to the FA Cup fourth round for the first time since 1979 and they were drawn at home to Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur.[15] On 27 January 2018 Newport achieved a 1–1 draw to force a replay at Tottenham's temporary home ground of Wembley Stadium.[16] Tottenham won the replay 2–0.[17] In Flynn's first full season in management Newport County finished the 2017–18 season in 11th place in League Two.

The following season, Flynn led Newport to another major FA Cup upset, with a 2–1 victory over Premier League side Leicester City to send them through to the fourth round of the competition.[18] In the FA Cup fourth round Newport drew the away match 1–1 against Championship club Middlesbrough on 26 January 2019 [19] and on 5 February 2019 County won the replay at home 2–0.[20] The match provided the only managerial meeting of Flynn and fellow Pillgwenlly-born manager Tony Pulis. Pulis spoke highly about Newport's achievement after previous turmoil, describing Flynn as having achieved a "fantastic job" and also praising Newport's team management consultant Lennie Lawrence.[21]

County progressed to the FA Cup fifth round for the first time since 1949 and were drawn at home against reigning Premier League champions Manchester City. County lost the match 4–1.[22] Before and after the match, Flynn received praise from a number of managers across the business, including his former UEFA pro-licence classmates Mikel Arteta and Thierry Henry, for progressing to the late stages of the competition. Flynn, a Liverpool fan, was also later invited by manager Jurgen Klopp to join a coaching session at Liverpool's Melwood ground.[6]

Newport finished the 2018–19 season in seventh place in League Two, thus qualifying for the League Two play-offs. In the semi-final against Mansfield Town, Newport drew the first leg 1–1 at home, drew the second leg 0–0 at Mansfield and then won the semi-final penalty shoot-out.[23] In the League Two play-off final at Wembley Stadium on 25 May 2019 Newport lost to Tranmere Rovers, 1–0 after a goal in the 119th minute.[24]

On 27 August 2019, Newport County faced West Ham United of the Premier League in Round 2 of the EFL Cup, losing the tie 2–0.[25] In September 2019, Flynn was closely linked with the team manager vacancy at Lincoln City following the departure of Danny Cowley. County went on to confirm they had granted permission to "another EFL club" to interview Flynn.[26] On 17 September Flynn confirmed through a club press release that he was no longer in talks for the prospective role.[26] In October 2019 he signed a new contract with Newport, until June 2022.[27] Newport also reached the semi-final of the EFL Trophy, losing to Salford City on penalties on 19 February 2020.[28] On 19 February 2020 Newport reached the semi-final of the EFL Trophy, losing to Salford City on penalties.[28] The 2019-20 season was suspended on 13 March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom, with Newport 15th in League Two and the season was formally terminated on 9 June 2020.[29] Points per game was subsequently adopted to determine the final League Two table with Newport County rising one place to 14th in the league.

On 22 September 2020 Newport County beat Championship club Watford 3–1 at home in the third round of the EFL Cup to reach the fourth round for the first time in the club's history.[30] Newport were drawn at home to Premier League club Newcastle United in the fourth round and after drawing 1–1 in normal time, Newcastle won the penalty shoot-out.[31] Flynn won the League Two Manager of the Month award for October 2020 after Newport won six of their seven league games in October, leaving Newport top of the League Two table.[32] Newport again reached the third round of the 2020–21 FA Cup to face Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion at home on 10 January 2021.[33] Newport lost to Brighton on penalties having drawn 1–1 after extra time.[34] Newport finished the 2020–21 season in 5th place in League Two and qualified for the play-offs.[35] In the semi-final against Forest Green Rovers, Newport won the first leg 2–0 at home and lost the second leg away 4–3, progressing to the final 5–4 on aggregate.[36] In the League Two play-off final at Wembley Stadium on 31 May 2021 Newport lost 1–0 to Morecambe after a controversial 107th minute penalty.[37] On 7 June 2021 Darren Kelly was appointed as Newport County Sporting Director to work in conjunction with Michael Flynn who retained the team manager role.[38]

On 25 August 2021 Newport County faced Southampton of the Premier League in the second round of the 2021–22 EFL Cup but they lost heavily 8–0.[39] Flynn was unable to attend the match as he was isolating after testing positive for Covid-19.[40] Flynn resigned on 1 October 2021 after nine league matches of the 2021–22 season with Newport 15th in League Two. Newport's assistant manager Wayne Hatswell was appointed as caretaker team manager.[41] Hatswell managed Newport for four unbeaten League Two matches before the appointment of James Rowberry as Newport manager on 19 October 2021 with Newport 13th in League Two after 13 matches of the 2021–22 season.[42] Hatswell was retained by Newport as assistant manager to Rowberry.[43]

Walsall

On 15 February 2022, Flynn was appointed Head Coach of League Two side Walsall on a contract until 2024 with Walsall in 18th place in League Two.[44] Flynn's first match in charge saw his new side travel away to Forest Green Rovers and defeat the league leaders 1–0, a George Miller goal ending the hosts' nineteen game unbeaten run.[45] On 22 February 2022, Wayne Hatswell rejoined Flynn as assistant head coach.[46] Walsall finished the 2021–22 season in 16th place in League Two.[47]

Fourteen points from seven matches led to Flynn being awarded the League Two Manager of the Month award for October 2022 having guided Walsall up the table.[48] On 19 April 2023, Flynn and Hatswell were sacked with Walsall in 15th place after 42 games of the 2022-23 League Two season. [49]

Swindon Town

On 8 May 2023, Flynn was appointed manager of Swindon Town on a two-year contract, officially taking charge following the last match of the season that same day. Wayne Hatswell was appointed assistant manager to Flynn.[50]

Personal life

Born in Newport, he was born to his mother Kerry and father John, both of Bettws. His mother had Michael at the age of 20 and he grew up with his great aunt Sheila and uncle Ted on Baldwin Street in the Pillgwenlly area of Newport.[51] His uncle worked at Newport Docks. Flynn has spoken of his uncle and aunt's Catholic values and its influence on his upbringing. He also described himself as a shy child, and a short but keen young footballer. He played for a range of youth sides including Albion Rovers Under 10s, Pill AFC, Newport Civil Service and Newport YMCA.[52]

Flynn worked part-time jobs early in his career, stacking shelves while a youth player for Newport. He worked as a postman in 2001 prior to his first professional contract with Barry Town.[53] Flynn married Victoria in 2016, and has five children; one daughter and two sons from previous relationships: Dionne (b. 2000), Charlie (b. 2014) and Theo (b. 2014) and two sons with Victoria: Edward (b. 2015) and Samuel (b. 2017).[52][54]

Flynn went to St Joseph's High School as a child, where he was a schoolmate of former West Ham United F.C. player and Wales international James Collins, who is two years younger than Flynn.[55] Flynn attended Staffordshire University obtaining a 2:1 degree in BA Sports Journalism and Media Law. Flynn holds a UEFA Pro Licence, which he obtained alongside Thierry Henry at the Football Association of Wales Dragon Park headquarters in 2013. He was previously a director of a Newport estate agency named Crook, Hudson & Flynn, and is now a director of estate agency David Spencer Ltd.[56]

Managerial statistics
As of 24 October 2023[57]
Managerial record by team and tenure
Team From To Record
PWDLWin %
Newport County 9 March 2017 1 October 2021 250 102 65 83 040.8
Walsall 15 February 2022 19 April 2023 68 21 22 25 030.9
Swindon Town 8 May 2023 Present 17 6 7 4 035.3
Total 335 129 94 112 038.5

Honours

Player

Wigan Athletic

Newport County

Manager

Individual

References
  1. "Club list of registered players: Newport County" (PDF). English Football League. p. 86. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
  2. "Mike Flynn". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
  3. Hughes, Dewi (5 May 2013). "Wrexham 0–2 Newport". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 May 2013.
  4. "Newport County: Aaron O'Connor one of 11 senior players to leave". BBC Sport. 12 May 2015.
  5. "Newport County 3–1 Hartlepool United". BBC Sport. 28 January 2017.
  6. "FA Cup: Goalkeeper's wife has twin girls and rise of the supermarket shelf-stacker". BBC Sport. 6 February 2019. "We have had Mauricio Pochettino, Claude Puel, Thomas Christiansen, they are all fantastic managers but this is the creme de la creme. He is a master, somebody that I just idolise and probably the best in the business, along with Jurgen Klopp, because I am a Liverpool fan," Flynn said.
  7. "Michael Flynn: Newport manager's rise from would-be estate agent to club legend". BBC Sport. 6 May 2019.
  8. "Michael Flynn: Former player to continue on Newport County staff". BBC Sport. 9 October 2015.
  9. "Former midfielder Flynn excited by new Exiles role". South Wales Argus.
  10. "Michael Flynn: Former midfielder returns to Newport County coaching team". BBC Sport. 13 October 2016.
  11. "Michael Flynn returns to coaching role with Newport County". South Wales Argus.
  12. "Newport County sack manager Graham Westley". BBC Sport. 9 March 2017.
  13. "Newport County 2–1 Notts County". BBC Sport. 6 May 2017.
  14. "Mike Flynn appointed permanent Newport County manager". BBC Sport. 9 May 2017.
  15. "Newport County 2–1 Leeds United". BBC Sport. 7 January 2018. Retrieved 7 January 2018.
  16. Pritchard, Dafydd (27 January 2018). "Newport County 1–1 Tottenham Hotspur". BBC Sport. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  17. Pearlman, Michael (7 February 2018). "Tottenham Hotspur 2–0 Newport County". BBC Sport. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  18. Pearlman, Michael (6 January 2019). "Newport County 2–1 Leicester in FA Cup third round". BBC Sport. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
  19. Pearlman, Michael (26 January 2019). "Middlesbrough 1–1 Newport County in FA Cup third round". BBC Sport. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  20. "Newport County 2–0 Middlesbrough in FA Cup fourth-round replay". BBC Sport. 5 February 2019. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  21. "Tony Pulis won't do hometown club any favours on Saturday". South Wales Argus. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
  22. Pearlman, Michael (16 February 2019). "Newport 1–4 Man City: Phil Foden double helps City into FA Cup quarter-finals". BBC Sport. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  23. "Mansfield Town 0–0 (3–5 pens) Newport County: Day sends County to Wembley". BBC Sport. 12 May 2019. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  24. Pearlman, Michael (25 May 2019). "League Two play-off final: Newport County 0–1 Tranmere Rovers". BBC Sport. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  25. Newport County v West Ham
  26. "CLUB STATEMENT | Manager Michael Flynn". www.newport-county.co.uk. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  27. "Michael Flynn: Manager handed new Newport County contract". BBC Sport. 3 October 2019. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  28. FA Trophy semi final
  29. League Two season ended
  30. Newport beat Watford
  31. Newcastle beat Newport
  32. Flynn October 2020 Manager of the Month
  33. Newport v Brighton
  34. Brighton beat Newport
  35. [https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56953517 Newport reach League 2 play-offs}
  36. Newport beat Forest Green
  37. Morecambe beat Newport
  38. Kelly appointed Sporting Director
  39. Newport v Southampton
  40. Flynn tests positive for Covid
  41. Flynn resigns from Newport
  42. Rowberry appointed Newport manager
  43. Hatswell retained by Newport
  44. "Michael Flynn appointed as Head Coach of Walsall". www.saddlers.co.uk. 15 February 2022.
  45. "Forest Green Rovers 0–1 Walsall". BBC Sport. 19 February 2022. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
  46. "Wayne Hatswell appointed Assistant Head Coach". Walsall F.C. 22 February 2022. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
  47. Walsall 11th place
  48. "Michael Flynn named League Two Manager of the Month for October". www.saddlers.co.uk. 11 November 2022. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  49. Walsall sack Flynn
  50. "CLUB STATEMENT: A message from Clem Morfuni on Town's next manager". www.swindontownfc.co.uk. 8 May 2023. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  51. "FIRST PERSON: Newport County midfielder and youth development coach Michael Flynn". South Wales Argus. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
  52. "FIRST PERSON: 'I am proud to be from Newport ' – County manager Michael Flynn". South Wales Argus. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
  53. Ellis, Adam (18 May 2017). "Newport County's 'Great Escape' fills Flynn with pride". The League Paper. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
  54. "It's the perfect end to the perfect week for Exiles boss Michael Flynn". South Wales Argus. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  55. Penman, Andrew (21 August 2019). "Newport County unlikely to sign ex-Wales star James Collins". South Wales Argus. Retrieved 9 September 2019.
  56. "DAVID SPENCER LIMITED - Officers (free information from Companies House)". Companies House. 24 March 2014. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  57. "Managers: Michael Flynn". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
  58. FC, Wigan Athletic. "Honours and Records". Wigan Athletic FC. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
  59. "Manager of the Month: Michael Flynn". www.efl.com. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
  60. "Sky Bet League Two: Manager and Player of the Month winners". www.efl.com. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
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