Des Lyttle
Lyttle in 2011
Personal information
Full name Desmond Lyttle[1]
Date of birth (1971-09-24) 24 September 1971[1]
Place of birth Wolverhampton, England
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)[1]
Position(s) Defender
Youth career
000?–1990 Leicester City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1990–1991 Leicester City 0 (0)
1991–1992 Worcester City
1992–1993 Swansea City 46 (1)
1993–1999 Nottingham Forest 185 (3)
1998 → Port Vale (loan) 7 (0)
1999–2000 Watford 11 (0)
2000 → West Bromwich Albion (loan) 9 (0)
2000–2003 West Bromwich Albion 67 (1)
2003 Stourport Swifts
2003–2004 Northampton Town 27 (0)
2004–2005 Forest Green Rovers 36 (0)
2005–2007 Worcester City
2007–2011 Tamworth
Managerial career
2010–2011 Tamworth
2011–2012 Hucknall Town
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Desmond Lyttle (born 24 September 1971) is an English former football player and manager.

He started his career with Leicester City, but dropped into non-League football with Worcester City in 1991. A good season earned him a move to Welsh side Swansea City, and in 1993 he moved on to Nottingham Forest. After six years with the club, including a spell in the Premier League, he signed with Watford. After just a season he switched to West Bromwich Albion. In 2003, he transferred to Northampton Town, and a year later he left the Football League for the second and final time, signing with Forest Green Rovers. He transferred to Worcester City in 2005, before joining Tamworth in 2007.

In 2010, he was appointed caretaker manager at Tamworth, before being made player-manager on a full-time basis. He resigned the following year, claiming he was being undermined by the club's directors. He was appointed manager of Hucknall Town in October 2011, before departing seven months later. He later had a spell as first team coach at York City, before becoming the head football coach at Thomas Telford School.

Playing career

Early career

Born in Wolverhampton, Staffordshire,[1] Lyttle started his professional football career with Leicester City in 1990, but after failing to make the first team, he was released at the end of 1991. Lyttle was picked up by Worcester City in August 1991 on a free transfer. He spent one season with Worcester, and a number of good performances alerted bigger clubs of Lyttle's ability. In July 1992, he joined newly-promoted Second Division club Swansea City from Worcester for a fee of £12,500. He spent a full season with City, and was part of the team that defied the odds to finish fifth in their first season back in the Second Division. Lyttle made 46 appearances for Swansea and found the net on one occasion.

Nottingham Forest

Lyttle was signed by relegated Nottingham Forest for a fee of £375,000 in July 1993 to become one of Frank Clark's first signings, following the end of Brian Clough's 18-year reign. Lyttle was a member of the team that won instant promotion back to the Premier League in the 1993–94 season, finishing second in the First Division. Forest finished in third place the following season, in their return to the Premier League, before falling to ninth-place in 1995–96 and then suffering relegation in bottom place at the end of the 1996–97 season. Lyttle stayed with Forest, despite the relegation. Forest however, lost some other players, noticeably Lyttle's defensive partner Stuart Pearce, who joined Newcastle United. Manager, Dave Bassett still managed to guide Forest back to the Premier League at the first time of asking, as they won promotion as champions.

Lyttle stayed on at Forest for another crack at the Premier League, although he spent a month out on loan at Port Vale, but after a dismal start to the season, Bassett was fired in January 1999. Forest then appointed Ron Atkinson in a bid to save the club, although he was unable to steer the club away from relegation and for the third time in seven seasons Forest were relegated as the bottom club. Lyttle vied for the right-back berth alongside French import Thierry Bonalair, and he left to pursue his career elsewhere at the end of the season.

Watford

Lyttle then joined newly promoted Premier League club Watford on July 1999. He failed to fit in at the club however, and was often a substitute. He made only eleven appearances for the club.

West Bromwich Albion

In March 2000, Lyttle was sent on loan to West Bromwich Albion for the remainder of the season, signing just two days before the transfer deadline. He helped ensure the club's survival in the First Division, and in turn earned himself a permanent contract in June 2000. He was a regular in the squad during the 2000–01 season, employed by manager Gary Megson as a right wing-back, and combined well with Ruel Fox down the right-hand side to help Albion reach the play-offs. The following season Lyttle lost his place to Slovakian Igor Bališ, with Lyttle used mainly as a substitute during the second half of the season as Albion were promoted to the Premier League. During 2002–03 Lyttle slipped even further down the pecking order, managing only two starts and two substitute appearances in the Premier League. Following the club's relegation back to the First Division, Lyttle was released by the club in May 2003.[2] In all, Lyttle made 67 appearances for Albion, his only goal for the club coming in a 3–1 home defeat to Fulham on 9 December 2000.[3]

Later career

He began training with AFC Telford United, and was linked to a longer stay at the club.[4] However, he joined Northampton Town in November 2003.[5] He spent the remainder of the 2003–04 season with Northampton, making a total of 27 appearances before leaving at the end of the season. His next move was to Conference National side Forest Green Rovers in September 2004, after rejecting fellow Conference club Burton Albion.[6] Lyttle spent one season with Forest Green, making 36 appearances and scoring once in the FA Cup against AFC Bournemouth,[7] but was released after not being offered a new contract at the end of the 2004–05 season.[8]

Lyttle joined Conference North side Worcester City for his second spell for the club, where he was the club's captain. He spent two seasons with the club but was not offered a new contract by Worcester manager Andy Preece at the end of the 2006–07 season, due to the club's budget having been reduced.[9] He was named the club's "Players' Player of the Year" for both of his seasons at the club.[10] In July 2007, it was confirmed that Lyttle had joined Conference North side Tamworth after a successful trial period.[11] Lyttle was part of the Tamworth promotion squad that were promoted to the Conference National at the end of the 2008–09 season. He also scored a late equaliser against high-flying Luton Town in 2009–10, all but ending Luton's chances of automatic promotion.

Coaching career

In May 2010, Lyttle confirmed that he had applied for the vacant AFC Telford United manager's job following the dismissal of Rob Smith;[12] however, former England international winger Andy Sinton was instead appointed.[13]

Tamworth

Following the departure of Tamworth manager Gary Mills and assistant Darron Gee to York City on 13 October 2010, Lyttle was announced as caretaker player-manager.[14] The following day Lyttle brought in former West Bromwich Albion and Tamworth teammate Bob Taylor as a coach to assist him.[15] Despite failing to find victory in his five league games, he was appointed manager on a full-time basis on 30 November after leading the club into the Second Round of the FA Cup with wins over Grimsby Town and Crewe Alexandra.[16] However, with just four games remaining until the end of the season, Lyttle resigned from the club.[17] Lyttle left his position as he felt it was untenable after claiming the club's board tried to bring in former York manager Martin Foyle as an adviser for the remaining four games.[18]

Hucknall Town

Lyttle returned to football as manager of Hucknall Town, replacing Tommy Brookbanks at the Northern Premier League Division One South club on 13 October 2011.[19][20] He steered the club to an 11th-place finish in 2011–12, before leaving 'on amicable terms' in May 2012 after the club decided to find a manager with a more in-depth knowledge of the local non-League scene.[21]

York City

Lyttle was appointed as first team coach at newly promoted League Two side York on 3 July 2012, being reunited with Mills and Gee, the management team Lyttle played under at Tamworth.[22] He left the club on 4 March 2013, two days after Mills was sacked as manager.[23]

Thomas Telford School

In 2013, Lyttle became head football coach at Thomas Telford School in Telford, Shropshire.[24] In 2015–16, the school's teams reached 13 national finals.[25] His former pupils include Morgan Gibbs-White, who turned professional at Wolverhampton Wanderers.[26]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[27][28]
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Swansea City1992–93[29]Second Division461502000531
Nottingham Forest1993–94First Division
1994–95Premier League
1995–96[30]Premier League331000000331
1996–97[31]Premier League321302000371
1997–98[32]First Division340104000390
1998–99[33]Premier League100102000130
Port Vale (loan)1998–99[33]First Division7000000070
Watford1999–2000[34]Premier League110001000120
West Bromwich Albion1999–2000[34]First Division9000000090
2000–01[35]First Division421104000471
2001–02[36]First Division230203000280
2002–03[37]Premier League4000100050
2003–04[38]First Division0000000000
Total 781308000891
Northampton Town2003–04[38]Third Division270500000320
2004–05[39]League Two0000000000
Total 270500000320
Forest Green Rovers2004–05[39]Conference National360210000381
Worcester City2005–06Conference North
2006–07Conference North
Tamworth2007–08Conference North
2008–09Conference North
2009–10[40]Conference National211000000211
2010–11[41]Conference National3000000030
Career total
Notes

Managerial statistics

Managerial record by team and tenure
Team From To Record Reference
PWDLWin %
Tamworth 14 October 2010 25 May 2011 36 9 9 18 025.0 [42]

Honours

Nottingham Forest

West Bromwich Albion

  • Football League First Division second-place promotion: 2001–02

Tamworth

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2004). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2004/2005. Queen Anne Press. p. 254. ISBN 9781852916602.
  2. ↑ "Baggies begin clear-out". BBC Sport. 12 May 2003. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
  3. ↑ "West Brom 1–3 Fulham". BBC Sport. 9 December 2000. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
  4. ↑ "Telford run rule over Lyttle". BBC Sport. 20 August 2003. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
  5. ↑ "Lyttle joins Cobblers". BBC Sport. 13 November 2003. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
  6. ↑ "Rovers snatch Lyttle". BBC Sport. 3 September 2004. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
  7. ↑ "Bournemouth 3–1 Forest Green". BBC Sport. 24 November 2004. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
  8. ↑ "Forest Green confirm player cull". BBC Sport. 26 April 2005. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
  9. ↑ "Worcester release skipper Lyttle". BBC Sport. 7 May 2007. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
  10. ↑ "Boddy hails City skipper Lyttle". BBC Sport. 25 April 2006. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
  11. ↑ "Veteran Lyttle signs for Tamworth". BBC Sport. 31 July 2007. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
  12. ↑ "Former Forest star Lyttle keen on Telford manager's job". BBC Sport. 17 May 2010. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
  13. ↑ "Andy Sinton confirmed as AFC Telford United boss". BBC Sport. 25 May 2010. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
  14. ↑ "York City appoint Tamworth's Gary Mills as new manager". BBC Sport. 13 October 2010. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
  15. ↑ "Des Army, Des Army". Tamworth F.C. 14 October 2010. Retrieved 14 October 2010.
  16. ↑ "Tamworth appoint Des Lyttle as manager". BBC Sport. 30 November 2010. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
  17. ↑ "Des Lyttle quits struggling Tamworth". BBC Sport. 14 April 2011. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
  18. ↑ "Lambs boss Lyttle departs club". Tamworth Herald. 14 April 2011. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
  19. ↑ "Lyttle Handed Hucknall Post". Non-League Daily. 13 October 2011. Retrieved 13 October 2011.
  20. ↑ "Des Lyttle and Michael Johnson join Hucknall Town". BBC Sport. 13 October 2011. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
  21. ↑ "Lyttle leaves Hucknall". Non-League Daily. 2 May 2012. Retrieved 2 May 2012.
  22. ↑ "Des Lyttle is new coach at York City". The Press. York. 3 July 2012. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
  23. ↑ Flett, Dave (4 March 2013). "Nigel Worthington poised to take over in York City hot-seat". The Press. York. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
  24. ↑ Dick, Brian (8 June 2014). "Where are they now? Des Lyttle". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  25. ↑ "Thomas Telford School are on the ball". Shropshire Star. 11 May 2016. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  26. ↑ Banner, David (30 October 2017). "Fomer [sic] West Brom defender Des Lyttle hails Wolves' star pupil Morgan Gibbs-White". Express & Star. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  27. ↑ Des Lyttle at Soccerbase
  28. ↑ Des Lyttle career stats at Post War English & Scottish Football League A – Z Player's Database
  29. ↑ Des Lyttle at Soccerbase
  30. ↑ "Games played by Des Lyttle in 1995/1996". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  31. ↑ "Games played by Des Lyttle in 1996/1997". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  32. ↑ "Games played by Des Lyttle in 1997/1998". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  33. 1 2 "Games played by Des Lyttle in 1998/1999". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  34. 1 2 "Games played by Des Lyttle in 1999/2000". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  35. ↑ "Games played by Des Lyttle in 2000/2001". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  36. ↑ "Games played by Des Lyttle in 2001/2002". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  37. ↑ "Games played by Des Lyttle in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  38. 1 2 "Games played by Des Lyttle in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  39. 1 2 "Games played by Des Lyttle in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  40. ↑ "Games played by Des Lyttle in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  41. ↑ "Games played by Des Lyttle in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  42. ↑ Des Lyttle management career statistics at Soccerbase
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