John Gidman
John Gidman was born in Liverpool on 10 January 1954
He played for the Liverpool youth team and then moved on to Aston Villa youth in 1971 where he took part in their youth side that won the 1972 FA Youth Cup.
In 1977 he made his only appearance in the England team playing against Luxembourg and was a member of the League Cup winning side. vIn August 1979 Gidman was told he could leave the club after demanding better terms, despite two years remaining on his existing contract.
He was subsequently signed by Everton for £650,000 in a deal which saw midfielder Pat Heard move the other way at a valuation of £100,000.
Gidman moved to Manchester United in 1981 as part of a £450,000 swap deal and was part of the FA Cup winning team in 1985.
After scoring 4 goals in 120 appearances for United, he left the club for Manchester City in 1986.
He then moved to Stoke City and then took on the role of assistant to Brian Little at Darlington, leaving there in 1989.
John Gidman took over the managerial reigns at The Walks on Tuesday 6th July 1993, reportedly on an 18 month contract receiving £125 a week plus expenses and a car.
Chief executive John Dollimore said of the managerial vacancy that the club was looking for someone "whose talent and reputation will attract other players to the club - and bring back supporters too".
Gidman was originally ruled out of the running as terms could not be agreed but after Brendan Ormsby had turned down the job he came back into the reckoning.
Early signings included Gary West, who had made 300 appearances for Lincoln City, Paul Willis ex-Glasgow Rangers and Swindon, Peterborough United youngster Clive Denniss and striker Dale Anderson from Bishop Auckland.
During his time at The Walks Gidman guided the club to the fifth round of the FA Vase, at the time this was their best run in the competition, only to go out to Diss Town.
Lynn's league fortunes, however, were not good with just four wins from 23 matches at a time where the club was having financial problems and claims made that players were not being paid on time.
The 1993-94 season saw Gidman make seven appearances as a player while Lynn's record under his management that season was P38 W14 D8 L16 GF 54 GA63.
His assistant, Tony Godden took over as manager on 12 March 1994.
Gidman's somewhat brief stay at the club ended controversially with the club claiming he had verbally resigned as manager and Gidman saying he was sacked and the club owed him £17,000 and the club responded saying Gidman was in breech of contract.
Gidman was later taken to court after making a series of "irritating and disturbing" calls to John Dollimore. Gidman pleaded guilty to four specimen charges and received a 12 month conditional discharge.
John Gidman was born in Liverpool on 10 January 1954
He played for the Liverpool youth team and then moved on to Aston Villa youth in 1971 where he took part in their youth side that won the 1972 FA Youth Cup.
In 1977 he made his only appearance in the England team playing against Luxembourg and was a member of the League Cup winning side. vIn August 1979 Gidman was told he could leave the club after demanding better terms, despite two years remaining on his existing contract.
He was subsequently signed by Everton for £650,000 in a deal which saw midfielder Pat Heard move the other way at a valuation of £100,000.
Gidman moved to Manchester United in 1981 as part of a £450,000 swap deal and was part of the FA Cup winning team in 1985.
After scoring 4 goals in 120 appearances for United, he left the club for Manchester City in 1986.
He then moved to Stoke City and then took on the role of assistant to Brian Little at Darlington, leaving there in 1989.
John Gidman took over the managerial reigns at The Walks on Tuesday 6th July 1993, reportedly on an 18 month contract receiving £125 a week plus expenses and a car.
Chief executive John Dollimore said of the managerial vacancy that the club was looking for someone "whose talent and reputation will attract other players to the club - and bring back supporters too".
Gidman was originally ruled out of the running as terms could not be agreed but after Brendan Ormsby had turned down the job he came back into the reckoning.
Early signings included Gary West, who had made 300 appearances for Lincoln City, Paul Willis ex-Glasgow Rangers and Swindon, Peterborough United youngster Clive Denniss and striker Dale Anderson from Bishop Auckland.
During his time at The Walks Gidman guided the club to the fifth round of the FA Vase, at the time this was their best run in the competition, only to go out to Diss Town.
Lynn's league fortunes, however, were not good with just four wins from 23 matches at a time where the club was having financial problems and claims made that players were not being paid on time.
The 1993-94 season saw Gidman make seven appearances as a player while Lynn's record under his management that season was P38 W14 D8 L16 GF 54 GA63.
His assistant, Tony Godden took over as manager on 12 March 1994.
Gidman's somewhat brief stay at the club ended controversially with the club claiming he had verbally resigned as manager and Gidman saying he was sacked and the club owed him £17,000 and the club responded saying Gidman was in breech of contract.
Gidman was later taken to court after making a series of "irritating and disturbing" calls to John Dollimore. Gidman pleaded guilty to four specimen charges and received a 12 month conditional discharge.