Player-Manager
Position: Central
Midfield
DoB: 6th June 1966
Birthplace: Cheltenham.
City Managerial Record:
P-64, W-18 (28.1%), D-15, L-31,
Gls-103, Against-130.
excludes matches as assistant manager under Brian
Hughes
City Career
Transfer Details: Returned to Meadow Park in September 1998 having quit as
player/assistant manager of Forest Green in search of
regular first team football.
City Debut: Vs. Cambridge City (h) BHLPD, 22nd August 1992, Lost
3-2.
1992/3: 42 Apps, 6 Goals
1993/4: 49(2) Apps, 5 Goals
1994/5: 1 App, 0 Goals
1998/9: 34(3) Apps, 2 Goals
1999/0: 34(3) Apps, 3 Goals
2000/1: 27(4) Apps, 2 Goals
Totals: 184(12) Apps, 18 Goals
Previous Clubs: Ch@#tenham Town, St. Marks, Cheltenham
Saracens, Cinderford Town, Gloucester City,
Cinderford Town (loan), Cirencester Town (loan), Forest
Green Rovers, Dorchester Town, Gloucester City,
Clevedon Town, Cinderford Town, Swindon
Supermarine, Cinderford Town (player-manager), Slimbridge, Chippenham
Town, Taunton Town, Malvern Town, Yate Town
Honours: Gloucestershire Snr. Cup
Winner 92/3, DML Southern Division
Championship 96/7, DML Premier Championship 97/8
Pen Pic:
The 2000/1 season was a real test for Tommy in his first full campaign as
player-manger. He has played in sides that have done well at DML Western level
but struggled at times to translate his own commitment on the field into a
team in his own mould. The signings he made demonstrated that he could pull in proven players,
but as the season wore on City's tight budget has proved an
increasing millstone. Had hoped to concentrate on management but was forced to
play himself as the squad rapidly shrank. He will have taken comfort from the promising
development of a few of the local youngsters but financial restrictions pushed his coaching
skills beyond stretching point. Resigned in June 2001 when told the next
season's budget would not be increased. Went on to play for Clevedon and
Cinderford, finally going back into management with Cinderford for an
unsuccessful spell before returning to playing duties elsewhere. His bitterness
towards City and his behaviour on and off the field in meetings with us since
his departure has soured his relationship with his former employers.
Was appointed player-manager following the City board's sacking of Brian Hughes
at the end of February 2000. Tommy had
been Hughes' assistant, and has previously had coaching experience as Frank Gregan's assistant at Forest Green during their rise to
the Conference. Was not able to halt City's slide towards
relegation, but retained general support from the T-End. Was offered the
full-time job in May and took it after receiving some assurances on the club's
future from the City
board.
As a player Tommy's hard man reputation masks a great deal of ability and a delicate
feel for the ball, the once famed 'Tommy touch'. Admittedly he isn't able to
dictate a game as he once was, but no-one could doubt his commitment to City
this last season despite the problems both on and off the field. Proved vital support to
Brian Hughes before taking charge, and was forced to play all
over the park as the need arose, but still looks most effective in central
midfield where he can mix it with the best.
Tommy's return to the City
fold under Leroy Rosenior in September 1998 came as a shock to all, having spent several very
successful seasons on sabbatical at
Forest Green. During that
time Callinan was instrumental in helping the little Nailsworth
side's meteoric rise to the Conference, but eventually left in
order to concentrate on a couple more seasons pursuing his
playing career. His return was not initially a success as he struggled with a
knee injury, but last season he was one of the team's more consistent
performers and a much needed source of leadership in a struggling and
inexperienced side.
Tommy had originally been signed by Brian Godfrey from
Cinderford on a free transfer in the summer of 1992. His combative performances
included a regular scoring contribution in a mediocre team, but he was released by John Murphy in
October 1994 after being given little chance to prove himself by
the new manager.
