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Danny Pugh
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Danny Pugh
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Daniel Adam Pugh (born 19 October 1982) is an English professional football coach and former footballer.

Key Information

A versatile player, he could play in midfield or at left-back. He began his career with Manchester United and made a handful of first-team appearances before being transferred to Leeds United in May 2004. He spent two seasons at Elland Road before joining Preston North End for a fee of £250,000 in June 2006. Another two-year spell followed until he joined Stoke City for £500,000 in January after a short loan period. He became a regular under Tony Pulis and helped the club to gain promotion out of the Championship in 2007–08. He appeared in the 2011 FA Cup final. However, he struggled to hold down a regular place in the Premier League and had loan spells back at Preston and then Leeds before joining Leeds permanently for a second time in January 2012.

He made 62 appearances in his second spell at Leeds and played on loan at Sheffield Wednesday in the 2012–13 season. He left Leeds and went on to spend the 2014–15 season with Coventry City, the 2015–16 campaign at Bury, before moving on to Blackpool in July 2016. He signed with Port Vale in January 2017 and was appointed as a first-team coach in September 2018. He became Vale's caretaker manager in January 2019 and January 2021.

Playing career

[edit]

Manchester United

[edit]

Pugh came through the youth ranks at Manchester United, signing as a professional on 18 July 2000.[4] He made his first-team debut after coming on as a 75th-minute substitute for Ruud van Nistelrooy in a 5–2 win over Israeli side Maccabi Haifa in a UEFA Champions League group stage game at Old Trafford on 18 September 2002.[5] He made his Premier League debut three days later, this time replacing Ryan Giggs with five minutes remaining of a 1–0 home victory over Tottenham Hotspur.[6] He went on to make further appearances against Juventus and Deportivo de La Coruña in the second group stage of the Champions League.[7][8] Having played five times in the 2002–03 season, he was given just two appearances by Alex Ferguson in the 2003–04 campaign.

Leeds United

[edit]

In May 2004, Pugh was traded to derby rivals Leeds United in part-exchange for Alan Smith, becoming the first player signed by manager Kevin Blackwell.[9][10] He scored his first goal in senior football on 10 August, as Leeds lost 2–1 at Gillingham in the Championship.[11] He went on to score both of United's goals in a 2–2 draw at Crewe Alexandra on 18 September.[12] He held down the left midfield position in a 4–4–2 formation for the first half of the 2004–05 season, before being switched to left-back after an injury to Stephen Crainey. However, Pugh fell out of favour at Leeds after Blackwell switched to a 4–3–3 formation, and he featured just 15 times in the 2005–06 campaign.

Preston North End

[edit]

Pugh was sold to Championship rivals Preston North End in June 2006 for a fee of £250,000, becoming Paul Simpson's first signing as manager at Deepdale.[13] He scored four goals in 49 games in the 2006–07 season, mainly playing tucked in off the left flank or occasionally as an out-and-out central midfielder.

Stoke City

[edit]

On 2 November 2007, Pugh joined Stoke City initially on loan with a view to a permanent move in January; manager Tony Pulis was "delighted to have signed a quality left-sided midfielder".[14] The move was made permanent on 3 January, with Stoke paying Preston £500,000 for Pugh's services.[15] He played 32 games for Stoke in the 2007–08 season as the club secured promotion to the Premier League by finishing second in the Championship.[16] However, he struggled to establish himself in the first-team during the 2008–09 season, featuring in just 17 Premier League games. He did, though, score his first goal for the club in a 2–0 win over Rotherham United in a League Cup match at the Britannia Stadium on 11 November.[17] He signed a one-year contract extension in October 2009.[18] He scored his first Premier League goal in a 3–1 home defeat to Arsenal on 27 February; However, he also gave away a penalty in the match.[19]

After struggling for first-team appearances at Stoke, Pugh returned to his old club Preston North End on a one-month loan on 17 November 2010, along with fellow Stoke teammate Michael Tonge.[20] The loan was extended into a second month but both Pugh and Tongue were recalled from their loan spell on 31 December after Preston sacked manager Darren Ferguson, the son of Pullis' close friend Sir Alex.[21][22] He signed a new contract with Stoke whilst on loan at Preston, with Pulis remarking that Pugh was "an excellent professional... who can be relied upon to come in and do a good job if required".[23] Pugh made only his second league start for Stoke in two seasons away at Birmingham City in February 2011.[24][25] He made 18 appearances for Stoke in all competitions during the 2010–11 season, including an appearance as a late substitute for Glenn Whelan in the 1–0 defeat to Manchester City in the 2011 FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium.[26] Pugh made six appearances at the start of the 2011–12 season and scored against Swiss side FC Thun the Europa League, giving Stoke a 1–0 win on 18 August.[27] However, Pugh was left out Stoke's 25-man Premier League squad by manager Tony Pulis for the 2011–12 season.[28] He left Stoke in January 2012 to rejoin Leeds United on a permanent transfer after five seasons with the "Potters", having made a total 89 appearances and scoring three goals for the club.[29]

Return to Leeds United

[edit]

On 22 September 2011, Pugh rejoined Simon Grayson's Leeds United on a three-month loan with the option to a permanent move.[30][31] He made his second debut for Leeds the next day in a 3–3 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion.[32] He scored his first goal of his second spell at Leeds in a 1–0 victory over Portsmouth at Elland Road on 1 October.[33] He scored his second goal in consecutive games in a 3–0 win over Doncaster Rovers on 14 October.[34] Due to the injury to Jonny Howson, Pugh moved into a central midfield position.[35] He signed for Leeds on a two-and-a-half-year deal on 2 January 2012.[36]

In August 2012, Leeds manager Neil Warnock announced that Pugh and teammate Robbie Rogers had been placed on the transfer list to generate funds for a new striker.[37][38] He played just six games throughout the 2012–13 season. In January 2013, he joined Sheffield Wednesday on loan until the end of the season.[39] Pugh was originally signed to fill in the left-wing position for Jérémy Hélan, who was set to leave Hillsborough; however, upon Hélan's return to the club, Pugh dropped back to the left-back position. Pugh made his debut for the "Owls" in a 2–1 away victory at Charlton Athletic on 26 January, and manager Dave Jones said that he was impressed with Pugh's debut.[40][41] Pugh scored his first goal for Wednesday directly from a free kick in a 3–1 home victory over Brighton & Hove Albion on 2 February.[42]

He made his first appearance of the 2013–14 season on 9 November, as Leeds recorded a 4–2 victory at Charlton Athletic; Pugh won a penalty in the second half.[43] Manager Brian McDermott went on to praise Pugh, saying he "hadn't started a game all season and comes in and does that".[44] Pugh finished the season with 22 appearances to his name, but was released by the club in May 2014.[45]

Coventry City

[edit]

Pugh joined Steven Pressley's Coventry City on a one-year contract in July 2014.[46] He picked up an ankle injury which required surgery just two games into his Coventry career, and lost his first-team place at left-back to Ryan Haynes.[47][48] He played just five League One games throughout the 2014–15 campaign, and was released by new manager Tony Mowbray in May 2015.[49]

Bury

[edit]

He joined David Flitcroft's Bury on a one-year contract in July 2015.[50] He played a total of 39 League One and nine cup games for the "Shakers", mainly playing in central midfield during the 2015–16 season and was offered a new contract on reduced terms in April 2016, but elected to leave Gigg Lane.[51][52]

Blackpool

[edit]

He signed a one-year contract with EFL League Two side Blackpool in July 2016.[53] Manager Gary Bowyer was reported to have signed Pugh to play in central midfield and to pass on experience to the younger players.[54] Bowyer went on to appointed Pugh as club captain, saying that he had shown himself to be a "great example for everybody".[55] He played 23 games in the first half of the 2016–17 season, before leaving the club in January 2017 to join League One side Port Vale on a permanent deal until the end of the season.[56]

Port Vale

[edit]

Port Vale manager Michael Brown had played alongside Pugh at Leeds.[57] Pugh signed a new one-year contract on 4 May, days after the club's relegation into League Two.[58] In the second league game of the 2017–18 season, a 3–2 loss to Wycombe Wanderers on 12 August, he picked up a knee injury that saw him ruled out of action for three months.[59] He was appointed as club captain by new "Valiants" manager Neil Aspin in October 2017.[60] On 30 March, he went from hero to villain on the cusp of half-time as he scored the opening goal before getting sent off during a crucial 2–1 victory over relegation rivals Chesterfield at Vale Park.[61] However, by this stage he had already played enough games to a trigger a one-year extension to his contract.[62]

Coaching career

[edit]

On 18 September 2018, Pugh took on extra coaching duties at Port Vale following the departure of coach Gary Brabin.[63] Neil Aspin resigned on 30 January 2019, and Pugh stepped in to serve as caretaker manager.[64] John Askey was appointed as manager on 4 February, before Pugh had the chance to take charge of any first-team games.[65] Pugh became a full-time coach upon the expiry of his playing contract at the end of the season, though did take the #14 shirt and sat on the bench following a midfield injury crisis in September 2019.[66][67] Pugh again became caretaker manager following Askey's departure on 4 January 2021.[68] Five days later he oversaw a 3–0 home win over Grimsby Town in his first game in management.[69] On 18 January, he began self-isolating after testing positive for COVID-19.[70] Club chairperson Carol Shanahan said that Pugh had been unlucky during his time in charge, missing Tom Pope and Devante Rodney to injury and having to self-isolate at home for two games. She confirmed that Pugh had not applied for the role permanently.[71] He returned to the touchline in time to oversee a 5–1 victory over bottom-club Southend United.[72] He reverted to his original coaching role once Darrell Clarke was appointed manager on 15 February.[73] On 10 May 2021, Port Vale announced Pugh had left the club.[74] He was announced as a signing at Hanley Town three months later, a club managed by former teammate Carl Dickinson.[75] He joined Leek Town as a first-team coach in September 2023.[76]

Career statistics

[edit]

Playing statistics

[edit]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other[A] Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Manchester United 2002–03[77] Premier League 1 0 0 0 1 0 3[a] 0 5 0
2003–04[78] Premier League 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 2 0
Total 1 0 1 0 2 0 3 0 7 0
Leeds United 2004–05[79] Championship 38 5 1 0 3 1 — 42 6
2005–06[80] Championship 12 0 0 0 3 0 — 15 0
Total 50 5 1 0 6 1 0 0 57 6
Preston North End 2006–07[81] Championship 45 4 3 0 1 0 — 49 4
2007–08[82] Championship 7 0 0 0 1 1 — 8 1
Total 52 4 3 0 2 1 0 0 57 5
Stoke City 2007–08[82] Championship 30 0 2 0 — — 32 0
2008–09[83] Premier League 17 0 0 0 3 1 — 20 1
2009–10[84] Premier League 7 1 3 0 3 0 — 13 1
2010–11[85] Premier League 10 0 5 0 3 0 — 18 0
2011–12[86] Premier League 3 0 0 0 0 0 3[b] 1 6 1
Total 67 1 10 0 9 1 3 1 89 3
Preston North End (loan) 2010–11[85] Championship 5 0 0 0 — — 5 0
Leeds United 2011–12[86] Championship 34 2 1 0 — — 35 2
2012–13[87] Championship 4 0 0 0 2 0 — 6 0
2013–14[88] Championship 20 2 1 0 0 0 — 22 2
Total 58 4 2 0 2 0 0 0 62 4
Sheffield Wednesday (loan) 2012–13[87] Championship 16 1 — — — 16 1
Coventry City 2014–15[89] League One 5 0 0 0 1 0 1[c] 0 7 0
Bury 2015–16[90] League One 39 0 5 0 2 0 2[c] 0 48 0
Blackpool 2016–17[91] League Two 18 0 4 0 0 0 1[c] 0 23 0
Port Vale 2016–17[91] League One 14 0 — — — 14 0
2017–18[92] League Two 33 2 2 0 1 0 2[c] 0 38 2
2018–19[93] League Two 1 0 0 0 0 0 3[c] 1 4 1
2019–20[94] League Two 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 48 2 2 0 1 0 5 1 56 3
Hanley Town 2021–22[95] Midland League
Premier Division 		9 1 4 1 — 1[d] 0 14 2
Career total 368 18 32 1 25 3 16 2 441 21
  1. ^ Appearance(s) in the UEFA Champions League.
  2. ^ Appearance(s) and goal(s) in the UEFA Europa League.
  3. ^ a b c d e Appearance(s) in the EFL Trophy.
  4. ^ One appearance in FA Vase

Managerial statistics

[edit]
As of match played 6 February 2021
Managerial record by team and tenure
Team From To Record
G W D L Win %
Port Vale (caretaker) 30 January 2019 4 February 2019 0 0 0 0 !—
Port Vale (caretaker) 4 January 2021 15 February 2021 7 2 1 4 028.57
Total 7 2 1 4 028.6

Honours

[edit]

Stoke City

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Danny Pugh

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Daniel Adam Pugh (born 19 October 1982) is an English professional football coach and former player, known for his versatility as a left-back, left , and defensive during a career spanning over two decades in the and lower divisions. Pugh began his professional journey with Manchester United, joining their youth academy in 1992 and making three first-team appearances in the and between 2002 and 2004. He then moved to Leeds United in 2004, where he established himself as a regular, playing 119 matches and scoring 10 goals across two spells at the club (2004–2006 and 2011–2014), including a loan to Sheffield Wednesday in 2013. Subsequent clubs included Preston North End (2006–2007 and 2010–2011), where he featured in 62 games and netted 5 goals, and Stoke City (2007–2011), contributing to their promotion to the in 2008 with 88 appearances and 3 goals. Later in his playing career, Pugh represented Coventry City (2014–2015; 7 appearances), Bury (2015–2016; 32 appearances, 1 goal), (2016–2017; 17 appearances), and Port Vale (2017–2020; 56 appearances, 3 goals), before winding down with non-league side Hanley Town in 2021–2022. Over his professional tenure, he accumulated 434 appearances and 22 goals across all competitions. Transitioning to coaching while still playing, Pugh obtained his and took on roles at Port Vale, including first-team coach from 2018 and a brief stint as in 2021. He later joined Stoke City's academy staff in 2022 as U18 coach, before moving to Leek Town as first-team coach in November 2025.

Early life

Childhood and family

Daniel Adam Pugh was born on 19 October 1982 in , a suburb in the , , . Pugh stands at a height of 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m), a physical attribute that was evident from his early youth assessments and contributed to his versatility as a defender and midfielder. Growing up in the local environment of , which is surrounded by Manchester's football culture, Pugh developed an early interest in the sport; he supported Manchester City as a child and attended one of their matches as his first live football experience. His initial playing involvement came with a local youth team called L's Park. Despite his boyhood allegiance to Manchester City, Pugh joined the Manchester United youth academy at a young age, marking the start of his structured football development.

Youth career

Pugh joined Manchester United's youth academy in 1992 at the age of 10, beginning his development in the club's renowned system. He advanced through the various age-group teams, attaining trainee status on 5 July 1999 at age 16. On 5 July 2000, shortly after turning 17, Pugh signed his first professional contract with Manchester United, marking a significant milestone in his progression toward senior football.

Club career

Manchester United

Pugh progressed through Manchester United's youth academy before signing his first professional contract with the club on 5 July 2000. During his four-year tenure from 2000 to 2004, he primarily featured for the reserve team, occasionally training with the senior squad under manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who had praised him as one of seven promising youngsters in 2001. Pugh made his senior debut on 18 September 2002, entering as a 75th-minute substitute for during a 5–2 group stage win against Maccabi Haifa at . Over the following seasons, he accumulated a total of seven first-team appearances across competitions including the , , and , playing 324 minutes without scoring. His opportunities were restricted by fierce competition in midfield from established players like , , and . No loans were pursued for Pugh during his time at United, but internal assessments led to his departure in 2004. He was transferred to Leeds United on a free transfer as part of the deal acquiring Alan Smith for £7 million.

Leeds United (first spell)

In May 2004, Danny Pugh was transferred to Leeds United from Manchester United as part of the deal that saw striker Alan Smith move to Old Trafford for £7 million, with Pugh included in the exchange at no additional fee. He joined the club following their relegation from the Premier League at the end of the 2003–04 season, arriving amid ongoing financial constraints that had already prompted the sale of key players to alleviate debts exceeding £100 million. Pugh signed a three-year contract and made his debut on 7 August 2004 in a 1–0 home win over Derby County in the Championship, starting as a left midfielder. During the 2004–05 season, Pugh established himself as a regular in manager Kevin Blackwell's squad, making 38 league appearances (33 starts) and scoring 5 goals, contributing to ' mid-table finish of 14th in the . His versatility allowed him to operate effectively as a left or left-back, particularly after defender Stephen Crainey's injury, providing defensive solidity and attacking support on the flank during a period of squad rebuilding under financial pressure. Notable contributions included his first senior goal on 10 2004, a late consolation in a 2–1 away defeat to Gillingham, and a decisive 55th-minute strike in a 1–0 home victory over Preston North End on 16 October 2004, which briefly lifted out of the relegation zone early in the campaign. Pugh's goals made him the team's joint-top scorer at one point before David Healy's arrival in January 2005, highlighting his impact in a side adapting to life outside the top flight. Pugh's role diminished in the 2005–06 season, where he featured in only 12 league appearances (1 start), scoring no goals, as tactical shifts to a 4–3–3 formation and increased competition from new signings reduced his opportunities. Despite Leeds reaching the play-off semi-finals—losing to Preston on aggregate—the club's persistent financial troubles, including mounting debts and player sales, created instability that affected squad depth. Overall, across all competitions in his first spell, Pugh made approximately 57 appearances and scored 6 goals, showcasing his utility in a turbulent era for the club. Pugh departed in June 2006 when his contract had one year remaining, sold to Preston North End for £250,000 after spending his final months largely out of the first team due to falling out of favor under Blackwell. The transfer provided Leeds with funds amid their ongoing financial challenges, which would later culminate in administration and further relegation in 2007.

Preston North End

Pugh joined Preston North End on a permanent transfer from United in June 2006 for a fee of £250,000, marking the first signing of the summer by new manager Paul Simpson. Following a challenging end to his spell at , where he had struggled for consistent first-team action, Pugh sought a fresh start in the at . He quickly adapted to his role as a versatile left-sided midfielder, providing energy and width to the team's attacking play. Over the next 18 months, Pugh made 58 appearances and scored 4 goals for Preston, establishing himself as a reliable squad member during the 2006–07 season. Playing primarily in midfield, he contributed to the team's competitive campaign, which saw them finish seventh in the and narrowly miss out on the play-offs by a single point. Notable performances included a goal in a 4–1 victory over his former club Leeds United in October 2006, as well as strikes against Cardiff City and Derby County that helped secure crucial points in the promotion race. These efforts underscored his importance in maintaining Preston's push toward the top six, though the side ultimately fell short. By the 2007–08 season, Pugh's involvement decreased amid increased competition for places, with only limited starts before . Frustrated by reduced playing time, he submitted a transfer request to manager Simpson, expressing a desire for more opportunities. This led to a move to Stoke City on 2 2007, with a view to a permanent deal, which was finalized in January 2008 for £500,000. The transfer allowed Pugh to pursue higher ambitions, culminating in promotion to the with Stoke at the end of the season.

Stoke City

Pugh joined Stoke City on a three-month loan from Preston North End on 2 November 2007, with the deal including an option to make the transfer permanent in January 2008. He made an immediate impact, debuting in a 3–1 defeat to Coventry City on 3 November and featuring regularly as a versatile left-sided player capable of operating in midfield or defense. The loan was converted to a permanent £500,000 transfer on 3 January 2008, with Pugh signing a three-and-a-half-year contract. Under manager , he became a key squad member during the 2007–08 season, making 32 appearances across all competitions as Stoke City finished second in the to secure automatic promotion to the —the club's first top-flight return in 23 years. Over his full tenure at Stoke from 2007 to 2012, Pugh accumulated 88 appearances and 3 goals in all competitions, primarily in the and domestic cups. His contributions included starting in the at , where he lined up at left-back in a 1–0 defeat to Manchester City, marking Stoke's first major cup final appearance since 1972. Limited first-team opportunities in the led to loan spells, notably a return to Preston North End in November 2010 for an initial month (extended to January 2011), where he made 15 appearances.

Leeds United (second spell)

In September 2011, Danny Pugh rejoined Leeds United on a season-long loan from Stoke City, initially until January 2012, marking his return to the club where he had previously played from 2004 to 2006. The move was seen as a homecoming for the versatile midfielder, who brought experience from the and was praised by manager for his adaptability across defensive and midfield roles. Pugh impressed during the loan period, featuring regularly and contributing to ' mid-table campaign, which helped stabilize the team after a challenging start to the season. In January 2012, the transfer was made permanent, with Pugh signing a two-and-a-half-year contract for an undisclosed fee, extending his stay until June 2014. In January 2013, Pugh joined Sheffield Wednesday on loan until the end of the 2012–13 season, making 16 appearances and scoring 1 goal in the . Over the course of his second spell from 2011 to 2014, he made 62 appearances across all competitions for , scoring 4 goals, primarily in the 2011/12 and 2012/13 seasons where he was a key squad member during periods of improved form under managers and McDermott. His familiarity with the club from his first spell endeared him to supporters, fostering positive fan relations as he embodied loyalty during ' recovery efforts in League One and subsequent pushes, though the team ultimately finished outside the promotion spots each year. Pugh's role diminished in the 2013/14 season amid increased competition, but he remained a reliable . His contract expired at the end of June 2014, leading to his release by Leeds United as part of the club's squad reshaping.

Later clubs

After departing Leeds United for the second time, Pugh signed a one-year contract with Coventry City on a free transfer in July 2014. During the 2014–15 League One season, he made 5 appearances for the Sky Blues. In July 2015, Pugh joined Bury on a one-year deal following his release from . He featured in 39 league matches for the during the 2015–16 campaign, contributing to their mid-table finish in League One. Pugh moved to on a free transfer in July 2016 after turning down a new contract at Bury. His stint with the Seasiders in League Two lasted until January 2017, during which he recorded 18 league appearances. In January 2017, Pugh transferred to Port Vale on a deal until the end of the season, with his contract terminated to facilitate the move. He extended his stay with the Valiants, signing a new one-year contract in June 2017 with an option for another year, and was appointed club captain by manager in October 2017. Over his time at Port Vale from 2017 to 2020, spanning League One and League Two, Pugh made 48 league appearances and scored 2 goals. Following his departure from Port Vale in May 2021, Pugh joined non-league side Hanley Town in the Midland League Premier Division in August 2021. He appeared in 9 matches for the club during the 2021–22 season, scoring 1 goal, before retiring in June 2022. Across his professional career, Pugh amassed 368 league appearances and 18 goals.

Coaching career

Port Vale

Pugh began transitioning to coaching roles at Port Vale while still active as a player, taking on additional responsibilities in September 2018 following the departure of coach . He continued in this dual capacity through the 2018–19 season. Following the conclusion of the 2018–19 campaign, Pugh was appointed to a full-time first-team coaching position in the summer of 2019, supporting manager as the team competed in . Pugh's first experience as came in January 2019 after the dismissal of on 30 January, with Pugh stepping in for a brief interim period until Askey's appointment on 4 February. During this spell, he oversaw one league match on 2 February 2019, a 0–0 home draw against Rovers. Pugh's second caretaker role occurred in January 2021 following Askey's sacking on 4 January amid a poor run of form. He managed six fixtures until 15 February, recording three wins and three losses. Notable results included a 3–0 home victory over Grimsby Town on 9 January and a 5–1 home win against Southend United on 30 January, though the team also exited the with a 2–0 defeat to on 12 January. Pugh departed Port Vale in May 2021 at the end of his contract, as part of a staff overhaul following the appointment of new manager in February. His exit came amid ongoing financial challenges at the club, which had entered administration in before being rescued by new owners.

Stoke City

In October 2022, Pugh joined Stoke City as U18 professional development phase coach and player care officer in the academy, focusing on youth development and community engagement. He held this role until June 2023.

Leek Town

In September 2023, Danny Pugh was appointed as first-team coach at Leek Town, a club competing in the Division One West. In this role, under manager Josh Brehaut, Pugh contributes to the coaching staff responsible for player training sessions, tactical preparation, and individual development within the non-league setup. His appointment followed a period of coaching at Stoke City, where he gained experience in academy management. In the 2023–24 season, Leek Town won the Division One West title, finishing 1st with 78 points from 24 wins, 6 draws, and 8 losses, earning promotion to the Premier Division. The 2024–25 campaign saw the team finish 15th in the Premier Division after 42 matches, securing 52 points from 14 wins, 10 draws, and 18 losses. Pugh's involvement extended to community efforts, including participation in a charity football event in June 2025 where he received a on behalf of the club. As of November 2025, Pugh continues as assistant manager at Leek Town, supporting the team's efforts in the ongoing 2025–26 Premier Division season, where they sit 17th after 15 fixtures. This tenure underscores his commitment to fostering development in , drawing on his professional playing background to aid emerging talent.

Career statistics

Playing statistics

Danny Pugh made 368 appearances in league competitions throughout his professional career, scoring 18 goals. The following table summarizes his league appearances and goals by club:
ClubLeague AppearancesLeague Goals
Manchester United10
Leeds United1089
Preston North End574
Stoke City671
Sheffield Wednesday161
Coventry City50
Bury390
180
Port Vale482
Hanley Town91
Career Total36818
Pugh's appearances were primarily in the , , League One, League Two, and National League, with the majority (211) coming in the across his career. In cup competitions, Pugh recorded 52 appearances and 3 goals across the (27 appearances, 0 goals) and (25 appearances, 3 goals). The table below provides a club-by-club breakdown of total appearances and goals in all competitions (league and cups combined):
ClubTotal AppearancesTotal Goals
Manchester United40
Leeds United11910
Preston North End625
Stoke City883
Sheffield Wednesday161
Coventry City70
Bury430
220
Port Vale563
Hanley Town91
Career Total43422
Pugh predominantly featured as a left or left-back during his career.

Managerial statistics

Pugh's managerial experience at Port Vale was limited to a caretaker spell from 4 January to 15 February 2021 following John Askey's dismissal (a brief 2019 spell from 30 January to 4 February following Neil Aspin's resignation had no matches). In total, this period encompassed 5 games with 2 wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses, yielding a win percentage of 40%.
ClubGamesWinsDrawsLossesWin %
Port Vale (caretaker)521240.0
In the 2021 spell, notable results featured a 3–0 league victory over Grimsby Town on 9 January, with goals from Shaun Brisley, Devante Rodney, and . A 0–0 draw at home to Leyton Orient on 16 January highlighted defensive solidity, while losses included a 3–1 defeat at on 23 January and a 2–0 home reverse against Scunthorpe United on 26 January. A 5–1 home win against Southend United on 30 January rounded off the positive moments, with Rodney scoring twice. As of November 2025, Pugh has not held a full-time managerial position.

Honours

As a player

Manchester United Stoke City
  • EFL Championship runner-up (promoted): 2007–08

References

  1. https://www.transfermarkt.us/danny-pugh/profil/spieler/3546
  2. https://www.transfermarkt.us/danny-pugh/leistungsdaten/spieler/3546
  3. https://www.port-vale.co.uk/news/2021/may/danny-pugh-departs-vale
  4. https://www.stokecityfc.com/news/2022/october/25/ric-returns/
  5. https://moorlandsradio.co.uk/leek-town-appoint-former-stoke-city-and-port-vale-man-danny-pugh-as-first-team-coach/
  6. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wwgt5GDCkQE
  7. https://www.mufcinfo.com/manupag/a-z_player_archive/a-z_player_archive_pages/pugh_daniel.html
  8. https://www.planetfootball.com/quick-reads/the-seven-man-utd-kids-fergie-tipped-for-stardom-in-2001-how-they-fared
  9. https://www.transfermarkt.us/danny-pugh/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/3546/verein/985
  10. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/may/26/newsstory.sport7
  11. https://www.90min.com/posts/everything-that-happened-to-leeds-during-their-16-year-premier-league-absenc
  12. https://www.skysports.com/football/player/8359/danny-pugh
  13. http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football/leeds-united-fc/danny-pugh-5834/league-appearances_a30168/
  14. https://fbref.com/en/players/7f60e79c/Danny-Pugh
  15. https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=33084
  16. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/3942243.stm
  17. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/oct/17/match.sport8
  18. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/may/04/newsstory.leedsunited1
  19. http://www.ozwhitelufc.net.au/players_profiles/P/PughDA.php
  20. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/p/preston/9209935.stm
  21. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odd0sw2_zds
  22. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65cYc2FlTm0
  23. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/s/stoke_city/7074518.stm
  24. http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football/stoke-city-fc/danny-pugh-5834/league-appearances_a17524/
  25. https://www.transfermarkt.us/danny-pugh/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/3546
  26. https://www.transfermarkt.us/manchester-city_stoke-city/index/spielbericht/1097276
  27. https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11715/7194310/pugh-returns-to-leeds
  28. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/16389245
  29. http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football/sheffield-wednesday/danny-pugh-5834/league-appearances_a31452/
  30. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/28327075
  31. https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11774/9911992/danny-pugh-signs-for-bury
  32. https://www.bbc.com/news/live/uk-england-lancashire-36809302
  33. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/38821988
  34. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/39806169
  35. https://www.givemesport.com/sir-alex-ferguson-tipped-7-man-utd-youngsters-to-become-stars-in-2001-what-happened-to-them/
  36. https://www.transfermarkt.us/danny-pugh/profil/trainer/88215
  37. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/teams/port-vale/scores-fixtures/2021-01
  38. https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/danny-pugh-latest-leave-day-5397967
  39. https://uk.linkedin.com/in/danny-pugh-54075612b
  40. https://www.thenpl.co.uk/clubs/leek-town
  41. https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/northern-premier-league-premier-division/league-table/2024-2025
  42. https://x.com/leektown/status/1931352824417305024
  43. https://thefishy.co.uk/leaguetable.php?table=269
  44. https://www.transfermarkt.com/danny-pugh/leistungsdaten/spieler/3546
  45. https://www.port-vale.co.uk/news/2021/january/match-report-port-vale-5-1-southend-united
  46. https://www.transfermarkt.us/danny-pugh/erfolge/spieler/3546
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