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Mark Trueman

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Mark Trueman
Trueman with Bradford City in 2021
Personal information
Date of birth (1988-02-07) 7 February 1988 (age 36)[1]
Place of birth Bradford, England
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Bradford City (coach)
Youth career
Bradford City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
Ossett Town
2007 Guiseley
2013 Ossett Albion
Harrogate Railway Athletic
Thackley
Brighouse Town
Eccleshill United
2017–2018 Silsden
Thackley
Silsden
2020 Thackley
Managerial career
2020–2021 Bradford City (joint caretaker manager)
2021 Bradford City (joint manager)
2022 Bradford City (caretaker manager)
2023 Bradford City (caretaker manager)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Mark Trueman (born 7 February 1988) is an English football coach and former player who is a coach at Bradford City.

Early life

[edit]

Trueman was born in Bradford, West Yorkshire.[2]

Playing career

[edit]

Trueman played youth football for Bradford City,[3] and in non-league football as a midfielder for Ossett Town, Guiseley, Ossett Albion, Harrogate Railway Athletic, Thackley, Brighouse Town and Eccleshill United.[4]

He played for Guiseley in 2007,[5] and Ossett Albion in 2013.[6]

He later played for Silsden,[7] leaving the club in February 2018 to return to Thackley.[8] He later returned to Silsden, before again returning to Thackley in October 2020.[9]

Coaching career

[edit]

Trueman worked as a youth coach at FC Halifax Town.[10] He later worked for Bradford City as under-18 team manager,[11] before being appointed caretaker manager alongside Conor Sellars in December 2020.[12][13] Their first match was a 1–1 draw away at Crawley Town on 15 December 2020, the club's first point in six games.[14][15] The club's CEO Ryan Sparks said that Trueman and Sellars had the board's full support whilst the search for a permanent manager was ongoing.[16] Their second match was a 1–0 victory at home against Cambridge United on 19 December 2020, the club's first league win in eight matches.[17][18] After the result, Truman and Sellars had a celebratory beer, and then spent seven to eight hours the next day planning for the next game.[19] Trueman later said he intended to move into management after his caretaker spell ended.[20] After leading the club to their third straight win, he downplayed his chances of being appointed permanent manager,[21] but said he was keen to maintain his position as caretaker manager for as long as possible.[22][23]

On 28 December 2020 it was announced that Trueman and Sellars had been promoted to 'interim' managers and would remain in charge of the team for at least January 2021.[24][25][26] In January 2021 he spoke of his confidence that the club could maintain their good form, even though a number of games had been postponed due to COVID-19 and adverse weather,[27] and later that month he spoke about a 'busy' transfer window for the club,[28] as well as about how well the club's players had coped with nearly a month without a competitive match.[29]

In February 2021 Sparks said that Trueman and Sellars were happy with their 'interim' status and were not pushing to be made permanent managers.[30] Later that month, after suffering their first defeat in 9 games under Trueman and Sellars, Trueman said that he was sure the players would bounce back.[31] Later that month Trueman and Sellars were nominated for the January 2021 EFL League Two Manager of the Month award, after 2 wins and 1 draw in their 3 league games that month.[32] Trueman and Sellars were also praised by player Connor Wood for their maturity and detail.[33]

On 22 February 2021 Trueman and Sellars were announced as Bradford City's joint permanent managers, on a contract until the end of the 2021–22 season.[34] They were the youngest managers in the English Football League.[3]

By 8 March 2021, Trueman and Sellars had won 10 out of 15 league games, only losing once, and guided Bradford City from 22nd to 10th in the division.[3] That same day the duo were nominated for the February 2021 EFL League Two Manager of the Month award, after one loss and four successive victories.[35]

In May 2021, after a dip in the team's form which saw them lose 5 matches in a row, Sellars said that he and Trueman would get out of their slump and that they had done their job in guiding the club away from relegation.[36] On 10 May 2021 however, the two managers had their management contracts terminated by the club, having finished the season with a run of just one point from a possible 21 that ended in a mid-table finish.[37] The two were offered alternative roles at the club,[38][39] who were hopeful that the duo would remain.[40] It was later announced that Trueman would stay with the club as a first-team link coach, although Sellars had yet to make a decision.[41][42] Sellars left Bradford City on 18 June 2021, after 7 years with the club.[43]

On 22 June 2021 Trueman was promoted to assistant manager at Bradford City,[44][45] following a conversation with new manager Derek Adams.[46] Player Callum Cooke said Trueman staying with the club was the right decision.[47]

After Adams was sacked as manager in February 2022,[48] Trueman was appointed caretaker manager,[49] his second time in the temporary role.[50] The appointment was supported by Cooke.[51] The club lost Trueman's first game in charge a 2–0 defeat away at Oldham Athletic.[52] He remained in charge for a second game, at home against Harrogate Town,[53] saying he would have to "think outside the box" due to player absences,[54] and that he wanted his players to be more aggressive.[55] Mark Hughes was appointed Bradford City's new manager on 24 February 2022,[56] with Trueman remaining as assistant manager alongside incoming Glyn Hodges.[57] Hughes stated that Trueman was a welcome presence in the backroom staff.[58]

After Hughes and his assistant Glyn Hodges were sacked on 4 October 2023, Trueman remained as assistant manager to caretaker manager Kevin McDonald.[59] On 31 October, Trueman replaced McDonald as caretaker manager.[60] He "promised a smooth transition",[61] and his first game was an FA Cup game against Wycombe Wanderers,[62] which ended in a 2–1 defeat.[63]

Personal life

[edit]

Trueman is close friends with Pat McGuire[9] and Danny Forrest,[64] both of whom he has worked with.[65]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Mark Trueman". Bradford City A.F.C. Archived from the original on 17 September 2021. Retrieved 17 July 2021.
  2. ^ "Trueman and Sellars take permanent charge". Bradford City A.F.C. 22 February 2021. Retrieved 17 July 2021.
  3. ^ a b c Robertson, Gregor. "The joint managers ready to end Bradford's 'toxic' era of struggle" – via www.thetimes.co.uk.
  4. ^ "Mark Trueman - Eccleshill United Football Club First Team". www.pitchero.com.
  5. ^ "Guiseley face another semi-final". Wharfedale Observer. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  6. ^ "Tracey turns to experienced trio - The Pitching In Northern Premier League". www.thenpl.co.uk. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  7. ^ "Trueman on the Mark as Silsden leave it late yet again". Keighley News.
  8. ^ "Trio leave Silsden due to limited first-team action". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  9. ^ a b "Thackley boss glad to have Bantams coach and close pal back in midfield". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  10. ^ "FC Halifax Town: Trueman praises his history boys after title win". www.halifaxcourier.co.uk.
  11. ^ "TRUEMAN LAUDS GROWING RELATIONSHIP WITH FIRST TEAM". www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk.
  12. ^ "Stuart McCall sacked by lowly Bradford City". www.yorkshirepost.co.uk.
  13. ^ "Time for McCall-less Bantams to step up, says temporary boss Trueman". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  14. ^ "BANTAMS REACTION: Fighting spirit in Crawley draw pleases caretaker boss Trueman". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  15. ^ "MATCH REPORT: Happier ending to Trueman show as Bantams stop the rot". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  16. ^ "Stand-in duo aiming to keep it simple for Bantams". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  17. ^ "BANTAMS REACTION: Trueman's delight as City get back to winning ways". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  18. ^ "SIMON PARKER'S VERDICT: Dynamic duo put Bantams back on firmer footing". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  19. ^ "Trueman and Sellars transforming Bradford City's mood". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  20. ^ "Bantams stand-in boss Trueman keen on step up to management". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  21. ^ "BANTAMS REACTION: Trueman happy to keep going after another win". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  22. ^ "Bantams in no need to hurry as Trueman stakes claim". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  23. ^ "Relaxed caretaker manager Mark Trueman pleased to have bought Bradford City more time". www.yorkshirepost.co.uk.
  24. ^ "Bantams duo in charge 'until further notice'" – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  25. ^ "Bradford City promote Trueman and Sellars to interim bosses". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  26. ^ "Bradford City: Mark Trueman and Conor Sellars will remain in interim charge until further notice". Sky Sports.
  27. ^ "Unplanned 'winter break' won't affect Bantams, says Trueman". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  28. ^ "Trueman pleased with busy window as Bantams secure Rowe | Bradford Telegraph and Argus". Thetelegraphandargus.co.uk. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  29. ^ "Trueman praises Bantams for adapting to month without a game | Bradford Telegraph and Argus". Thetelegraphandargus.co.uk. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  30. ^ "Bradford City management duo remain comfortable with interim position". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  31. ^ "Team 'leaders' can inspire quick response from beaten Bantams, says Trueman". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  32. ^ "TRUEMAN AND SELLARS IN MANAGER OF MONTH NOMINATION". www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk.
  33. ^ ""It's as if they've been managing a first team for years"". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  34. ^ "Bradford City name Trueman and Sellars as permanent joint managers". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  35. ^ "Bradford City management duo nominated for monthly award again". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  36. ^ ""Our aim was to avoid relegation and we did that really early on. Anything from that was a bonus"". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  37. ^ "Bradford City axe Mark Trueman and Conor Sellars after just 78 days as permanent bosses". www.yorkshirepost.co.uk.
  38. ^ "CLUB STATEMENT: MARK TRUEMAN AND CONOR SELLARS". www.bradfordcityafc.com. 10 May 2021.
  39. ^ "Trueman and Sellars SACKED as City look to rebuild". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  40. ^ "Bradford City future of former managerial duo to be decided "in coming days"". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  41. ^ "Trueman signs three-year deal to stay at Bradford City in new link role". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  42. ^ "Mark Trueman goes from Bradford City's main man to link man with new coaching role". www.yorkshirepost.co.uk.
  43. ^ "Sellars says farewell as he leaves City after seven years". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  44. ^ "TRUEMAN APPOINTED ASSISTANT MANAGER". www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk.
  45. ^ "Trueman back on show as City make him assistant manager". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  46. ^ "Adams: Why it was important to make Trueman part of my Bradford City team". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  47. ^ ""I want to be coached by people like that, who know the game and want to do the right things"". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  48. ^ "Adams sacked by Bradford City after eight months in charge". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  49. ^ "Trueman can heal the Bradford City divide in latest caretaker role". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  50. ^ "Trueman learns from mistakes as he prepares for second crack at City hot-seat". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  51. ^ "Cooke backs Trueman to revive the enjoyment factor at City". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  52. ^ "BANTAMS REACTION: Confidence dips as Trueman second stint starts with poor defeat". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  53. ^ "Trueman remains at Bradford City helm as Evans watches on". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  54. ^ "Team news: Foulds back but City face defensive dilemma for Yorkshire derby". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  55. ^ "True grit needed as suffering Bantams kick off home run". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  56. ^ "MARK HUGHES UNVEILED AS NEW CITY MANAGER". www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk.
  57. ^ "Bradford City announce Hodges as new assistant manager". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  58. ^ "Hughes gives his views on Trueman's position at Bradford City". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  59. ^ "BANTAMS PART COMPANY WITH HUGHES". www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk.
  60. ^ "City manager update: Trueman put in charge for FA Cup". Bradford Telegraph and Argus. 31 October 2023.
  61. ^ "'The dynamic hasn't really changed': Trueman on change of City caretaker boss". Bradford Telegraph and Argus. 2 November 2023.
  62. ^ "Trueman confident Bantams will be up for the cup as he eyes short-term boost". Bradford Telegraph and Argus. 3 November 2023.
  63. ^ ""If they perform at that level, they will win more games than they lose"". Bradford Telegraph and Argus. 4 November 2023.
  64. ^ "Former City prospect says criticism of best mate "hurt" ahead of his sacking". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  65. ^ "Silsden boss and close friend loving Trueman show at City so far". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
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