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Mark Nicholas Stimson (born 27 December 1967)[2] is an English former footballer and manager. He is currently assistant manager of Cray Wanderers. He signed his first professional contract with Tottenham Hotspur in 1985, but was unable to gain a regular place in the team. In 1989, he moved on to Newcastle United, where he made over 80 appearances in the Football League. He later played for Portsmouth, Southend United and Leyton Orient before dropping into non-League football.

Key Information

He was appointed manager of Grays Athletic in 2002 and remained in charge until 2006 when he took over as manager of Stevenage Borough. He led Grays to victory in the Final of the FA Trophy in 2005 and 2006, and repeated the feat with Stevenage in 2007. In November 2007, he became manager of a Football League team for the first time when he took over at one of his former clubs, Gillingham, but he was unable to prevent the club's relegation from League One at the end of the 2007–08 season. He led Gillingham back into League One the following season via the League Two play-off final, but his contract was terminated after the team was relegated back to League Two the following season. On 1 June 2010, Stimson was appointed as the new manager of League Two club Barnet, but he was sacked on New Year's Day 2011 with the club near the bottom of the table. He later had a spell as manager with Conference club Kettering Town. He led Hornchurch to the 2021 FA Trophy Final at Wembley Stadium, beating Hereford 3–1.

Playing career

[edit]

Born in Plaistow in east London, Stimson played for the Essex county representative football team and was on the books of Queens Park Rangers, before joining Tottenham Hotspur on an apprenticeship in July 1984. A year later, he signed his first professional contract, at the age of 17.[3] He made his Football League debut against Everton in May 1987,[4] but struggled to gain a place in the first team, and was sent to Leyton Orient on loan in March 1988, where he played ten times.[5] During the following season, he was loaned out again, this time to Gillingham, whose manager, Keith Burkinshaw, had worked with him at Tottenham. Stimson made 18 appearances for the Kent-based club and, although he was unable to help the team avoid relegation from the Third Division, his contribution impressed the fans, who voted him into second place in the club's Player of the Year ballot.[3]

At the end of the 1988–89 season, Stimson was transferred to Newcastle United, then in the Second Division,[6] for a fee of £200,000.[5] He spent four years with the club and finally gained a regular first team place, making over 80 appearances.[5] After Kevin Keegan took over as manager, however, Stimson found himself out of favour and he had a short spell on loan to Portsmouth in December 1992, which led to a £100,000 transfer at the end of that season.[3][7] He made over fifty appearances for Portsmouth but was also loaned out again, this time to Barnet during the early part of the 1995–96 season.[5] In March 1996, he was transferred to Southend United for a fee of £25,000.[5] His first season at the club was affected by a long lay-off due to injury,[8] meaning that he did not play between August and November,[9] but he ultimately made over 50 Football League appearances for the club.[5] During his time at Roots Hall the club suffered two consecutive relegations, dropping from the First Division into the Second Division in 1997 and from there into the Third Division in 1998.[10] In March 1999, having not played for Southend since the previous November, he returned to his former club Leyton Orient on a free transfer.[11] He played for the club in the semi-finals of the play-offs, but was restricted to an appearance as an unused substitute in the final, which Orient lost.[11][12]

Prior to the 1999–2000 season, Stimson spent a short period on trial at another of his former clubs, Gillingham, but manager Peter Taylor decided against offering him a contract and he instead joined Isthmian League club Canvey Island.[3] He helped the "Gulls" win the FA Trophy in the 2000–01 season, setting up the only goal and winning the man of the match award in Canvey's 1–0 defeat of Forest Green Rovers in the final.[3][13] He was also selected to play for the England National Game XI, the national team for semi-professional players,[14] earning one cap against an equivalent team from the United States.[15] He left Canvey in May 2002 to join Grays Athletic as player-coach.[16]

Managerial career

[edit]

In September 2002, Stimson took over as manager of Grays after the sacking of Craig Edwards, initially as caretaker manager, but after leading the team to its first victory of the season, he was quickly given the job on an ongoing basis.[17] Despite the signing of a number of former top-level players, such as Carl Leaburn and Jason Dozzell,[18] the team escaped relegation by only one point.[19] The following season, however, boosted by a switch to full-time professional status and helped by the goals of Freddy Eastwood, Grays finished in 6th place,[20] sufficient to gain a place in the newly formed Conference South for the 2004–05 season.[21] Grays won the Conference South at the first attempt by a margin of 23 points,[21] thus achieving promotion to the Conference National, the top level of non-league football, for the first time in their history.[20] In the same season, Stimson also led Grays to the FA Trophy Final, where the team beat Hucknall Town in a penalty shoot-out.[22] Grays reached the FA Trophy Final again in the following season, and claimed a second successive win after a 2–0 victory over Woking at Upton Park.[23] In the Conference, Grays finished in third place and qualified for the play-offs for promotion to the Football League, but lost to Halifax Town in the semi-finals.[23]

Citing his disappointment at failing to gain promotion, Stimson resigned from his post at Grays on 16 May 2006.[24] He stated that at the time he had received no firm job offers from other clubs, and acknowledged that he was taking a gamble with his career, but said that if he was unable to find a new job as a manager he would move into youth coaching or open his own football school.[25] He was linked with the managerial vacancy at League Two Peterborough United,[26] but eventually took over as manager of Stevenage Borough on 28 May,[27] and led the club to an eighth-place finish in the Conference National in his first season in charge.[28] Stevenage also defeated Stimson's former club Grays to reach the FA Trophy final,[29] and beat Kidderminster Harriers 3–2 at the new Wembley Stadium in the final, giving Stimson a third consecutive Trophy win as a manager.[30]

Stimson (far left) leading the warm-up before a Gillingham match in 2008

In the early part of the 2007–08 season, speculation began to mount that Stimson would be approached to take over as manager of a Football League club, with Gillingham, Port Vale and Millwall all alleged to be interested in his services.[31] He was offered a new contract by Stevenage on 16 October 2007,[32] but resigned the following day.[33] On 1 November, he was appointed as the new manager of Gillingham,[34] and quickly moved to sign a number of Stevenage players, including Adam Miller and John Nutter.[35] He was unable to recreate his previous success, however, and at the end of the 2007–08 season Gillingham were relegated from League One.[36] He was also criticised by departing player Aaron Brown, who acknowledged that Stimson had strong coaching skills but described his man-management as "shocking".[37] The following season the Gills finished fifth in League Two and beat Shrewsbury Town 1–0 in the play-off final at Wembley Stadium to gain promotion,[38] but in the 2009–10 season Gillingham were relegated back to League Two, after which Stimson's contract was terminated "by mutual consent" on 10 May 2010.[39]

On 1 June, Stimson was appointed as the new manager of League Two club Barnet,[40] but was sacked seven months later on 1 January 2011 due to a bad string of results which left the club near the bottom of the table.[41] Towards the latter stages of the 2010–11 season, Stimson accepted a coaching role at Dagenham & Redbridge.[42] After a brief spell at Dagenham, he was appointed manager of Conference National club Kettering Town on 7 September 2011.[43] On 4 January 2012, Stimson left Kettering with the team placed in the Conference relegation places.[44] Four months later he was appointed manager of Thurrock following the club's relegation to the Isthmian League.[45] At the age of 49, Stimson was registered as a player again for the 2017–18 season and named himself as a substitute on a number of occasions.[46]

On 10 May 2018, after leaving Thurrock as a result of the club folding, Stimson was appointed manager of Waltham Abbey.[47] In November of the same year, however, he resigned in order to take over as manager of AFC Hornchurch.[48] He led the club to the 2021 FA Trophy Final at Wembley Stadium, beating Hereford 3–1.

After leaving Hornchurch at the end of the 2022–23 season, Stimson returned to Grays Athletic for the upcoming season,[49] but he was sacked in November with the club lying second from bottom in the Isthmian League North Division.[50] The following month he was appointed manager of Margate.[51] Having been unable to prevent the club from being relegated, Stimson was dismissed from his role at the end of the season.[52]

In April 2025, Stimson was appointed assistant manager of Isthmian League Premier Division side Cray Wanderers for the 2025–26 season.[53]

Personal life

[edit]

Stimson is married, and when he returned to former club Grays Athletic as manager of Stevenage Borough in 2007, he and his wife were praised for visiting the clubhouse after the game to chat to home supporters.[54] He has three children, including a son, Charlie, who in 2008 joined Gillingham's youth team, but turned down the offer of a professional contract in 2010 after his father's dismissal from the manager's job.[55][56] In 2000, Stimson presented his Essex Senior Cup winner's medal to a disabled Canvey Island fan, saying "it's easy to forget the fans who come along and support us, often in pouring rain."[57]

In July 2024, Stimson was found guilty of assault following a trial at Stevenage Magistrates' Court. He was ordered to pay a total of £1,052, including £750 towards costs incurred by the Crown Prosecution Service, and £50 compensation to the victim.[58]

Managerial statistics

[edit]
As of 4 January 2012
Team From To Record Ref
G W D L Win %
Grays Athletic 17 September 2002 16 May 2006 202 111 60 31 55 [59][60][61][62]
Stevenage Borough 28 May 2006 17 October 2007 72 38 13 21 52.8 [63][64]
Gillingham 1 November 2007 10 May 2010 144 48 41 55 33.3 [65]
Barnet 1 June 2010 1 January 2011 26 5 5 16 19.2 [65]
Kettering Town 7 September 2011 4 January 2012 22 4 5 13 18.2 [65]
Total 466 206 124 136 44.2

Honours

[edit]

As a player

[edit]

Canvey Island

As a manager

[edit]

Grays Athletic

Stevenage

Gillingham

Thurrock

Hornchurch

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Mark Stimson

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Mark Nicholas Stimson (born 27 December 1967) is an English former professional footballer and current , best known for his extensive success in the , which he has won a record five times—once as a player with in 2001 and four times as a manager with Grays Athletic in 2005 and 2006, in 2007, and in 2021. A defender by trade during his playing days, Stimson transitioned into management in the early 2000s, achieving promotions across non-league and Football League levels, including guiding Gillingham to the League Two play-off title and promotion to League One in 2009. As of April 2025, he serves as assistant manager to at Premier Division club Cray Wanderers, bringing his wealth of experience from over two decades in coaching. Stimson's playing career began in the youth system at Tottenham Hotspur, where he signed his first professional contract in 1985 but made only limited senior appearances, including loans to Gillingham. In 1989, he joined Newcastle United for a £200,000 transfer fee, establishing himself as a regular at centre-back and making 82 league appearances with 2 goals over four seasons in the First and Second Divisions. He later played for (1993–1996), Southend United (1996–1999), and Leyton Orient, before dropping into with Dagenham & Redbridge and , where he contributed to the latter's historic 1–0 victory over Forest Green Rovers in the 2001 final at . Retiring as a player around 2002, Stimson quickly moved into coaching, initially assisting at Canvey Island and Grays Athletic. His managerial breakthrough came at Grays Athletic in 2003, where he led the club to consecutive Isthmian League Premier Division titles and promotion to the Conference South, alongside back-to-back FA Trophy triumphs in 2005 (via penalty shoot-out against Hucknall Town) and 2006 (2–1 win over Woking). Appointed Stevenage manager in 2007, Stimson delivered a third successive FA Trophy victory that year (3–2 against Rushden & Diamonds), though the team missed promotion from Conference South during his tenure. He entered the Football League with Gillingham in November 2007, stabilizing the side to avoid relegation before masterminding their 2009 League Two play-off success (2–0 aggregate win over Shrewsbury Town in the final). Relegation followed in 2010, leading to his departure; subsequent roles at Barnet (2010–2011), Kettering Town (2011), Thurrock (2012–2018), Hornchurch (2018–2023, including the 2021 FA Trophy), a second stint at Grays Athletic (2023), and Margate (late 2023–2024) have cemented his reputation as a non-league specialist with a knack for cup success and lower-tier progression.

Early life and youth career

Early life

Mark Nicholas Stimson was born on 27 December 1967 in Plaistow, , . As a youth, he represented county , participating in local and county-level matches that provided his initial organized exposure to the sport. These early non-professional experiences, where he played primarily as a defender, helped shape his robust and tenacious defensive style that would characterize his later career.

Youth career

Stimson began his formal youth career with Queens Park Rangers, joining the club's youth setup in his early teens and participating in sessions and early competitive matches as a developing defender. In July 1984, at the age of 16, he transferred to Tottenham Hotspur on an , marking a significant step in his development within a top-flight club's academy system. There, he honed his skills as a left-back through intensive routines focused on defensive positioning, stamina, and tactical awareness, preparing him for higher levels of competition. During the 1984–85 season, Stimson featured in youth matches for Tottenham's senior youth team, contributing to the squad's overall development. His appearances were limited but valuable, emphasizing consistent performance in reserve and academy fixtures that built his physical and technical foundation. In 1985, aged 17, he signed his first professional contract with Tottenham Hotspur, transitioning from apprentice to professional status and edging closer to senior opportunities.

Playing career

Professional career

Mark Stimson signed his first professional contract with Tottenham Hotspur in 1985 as a left-back, but struggled to break into the first team, making only two league appearances over four seasons while primarily featuring for the reserves. To gain experience, he was loaned to Leyton Orient in March 1988, where he played 10 league matches without scoring, before returning to Tottenham. Later that season, he joined Gillingham on loan in January 1989, appearing in 18 league games as the club competed in the Second Division, again without finding the net. In June 1989, Stimson transferred to Newcastle United for a fee of £200,000, where he established himself as a regular in the Second Division defense over four years. He made 86 league appearances (82 starts and 4 as substitute) and scored two goals, contributing to Newcastle's solid defensive record during their promotion-winning 1992–93 Second Division campaign. Midway through the 1992–1993 campaign, he had a brief to in December 1992, featuring in three matches to help bolster their backline. Stimson joined permanently in July 1993 for £100,000, becoming a key defender in the First Division (second tier) and making 62 league appearances with two goals across nearly three seasons. During this period, he was loaned to Barnet in September 1995 for a short spell, playing five league games to aid their Third Division survival efforts. His consistent performances at highlighted his reliability in central defense and overlapping runs from left-back. In March 1996, Stimson moved to Southend United, where he provided steady defensive contributions in the lower tiers, starting consistently with 52 league appearances but no goals over three years until his release in 1999. He briefly returned to Leyton Orient on a short-term contract in March 1999, making four substitute league appearances in the Third Division before the end of his professional career. Across his professional tenure in the Football League, Stimson amassed over 230 appearances, primarily as a dependable defender with limited goal output.

Non-league career

Stimson moved to Canvey Island in 1999, where he established himself as a key defender in the club's rise through non-league football. During the 2000–01 season, he played a pivotal role in their FA Trophy campaign, culminating in a 1–0 victory over Forest Green Rovers in the final at Villa Park on 13 May 2001; Stimson provided the assist for Ben Chenery's winning goal, securing Canvey's first major trophy. His contributions helped solidify Canvey's reputation as a formidable Isthmian League side before their promotion to the Conference South. In the summer of 2002, Stimson transferred to Grays Athletic as a , marking the beginning of his transition from full-time playing duties. Playing primarily as a left-back or in the , he made regular appearances during the 2002–03 and 2003–04 seasons while increasingly focusing on coaching responsibilities after being appointed player-manager in September 2002. His on-field experience complemented Grays' competitive performances, including strong cup runs that foreshadowed the club's later successes under his management. During this period, Stimson earned two caps for the England National Game XI (formerly England C), representing semi-professional players. He featured in a 2–1 friendly win against the on 20 March 2002 at , , and a 1–0 victory over the on 24 April 2002 at , . These appearances highlighted his standing in non-league circles at age 34. Stimson retired from playing at the end of the 2003–04 season, aged 36, as physical demands and his growing managerial commitments at Grays prompted a full shift to coaching. He briefly returned to playing in 2017–18 during his managerial tenure at in the , registering as a but making only limited substitute appearances in the lower tiers amid the club's relegation struggles. This short stint underscored his enduring connection to but confirmed his primary role off the pitch.

Managerial and coaching career

Early managerial roles (2002–2007)

Stimson began his managerial career as player-manager at Grays Athletic in September 2002, taking over from Craig Edwards amid a poor start to the 2002–03 season in the Premier Division. Under his leadership, the team stabilized and achieved promotion by winning the Premier Division title in the 2003–04 season, clinching it with a 5–0 victory over Heybridge Swifts that confirmed their status as champions. This success elevated Grays to the Conference South for the 2004–05 campaign, where Stimson guided them to the league title and promotion to the Conference National, marking the club's most triumphant season to date with multiple manager and player awards. Stimson's tenure at Grays was defined by back-to-back victories, establishing his reputation for cup success at the non-league level. In 2005, Grays defeated Hucknall 6–5 on penalties after a 1–1 draw in the final at , securing their first national trophy. The following year, they retained the trophy with a 2–0 win over in the final at Upton Park, just days after a playoff semi-final loss that denied promotion via that route, with goals from Dennis Oli and Glenn . His tactical approach emphasized attacking football, as evidenced by Grays scoring 118 goals in the 2004–05 season, while integrating and local talent, including three players who earned National Game XI call-ups. Key signings like striker Tony Stokes from bolstered the attack, contributing to the promotion and cup doubles. In May 2006, Stimson left Grays to become manager of Conference National side , signing a three-year contract and bringing several Grays players with him. His first season brought immediate success in the , where staged a dramatic comeback to win 3–2 against Harriers in the 2007 final at the new —the first competitive match there—with goals from Mitchell Cole, Craig Dobson, and overturning a 2–0 deficit. This marked Stimson's third consecutive triumph, a unique achievement in . However, tensions with the board led to his resignation in October 2007 after taking legal advice, amid disputes over club direction following the cup win.

League management (2007–2012)

In November 2007, Mark Stimson was appointed manager of Gillingham in League One, replacing amid a struggle against relegation. Despite his efforts to rebuild the squad through targeted signings and tactical adjustments, the team finished 22nd and were relegated to League Two at the end of the 2007–08 season. Stimson faced significant media scrutiny during this period, with critics questioning his ability to stabilize a side inherited in turmoil, but he focused on long-term development rather than short-term fixes. In his first full season at Gillingham in League Two during 2008–09, Stimson oversaw a comprehensive squad rebuild, integrating young talents and experienced players to mount a promotion challenge. The team finished sixth, securing a play-off spot, and culminated in a 1–0 victory over Shrewsbury Town in the final at on 23 May 2009, with scoring the decisive late header to earn promotion back to League One. This success vindicated Stimson's methods amid ongoing pressure from fans and media, highlighting his emphasis on disciplined defense and counter-attacking play. However, the 2009–10 League One campaign proved challenging; despite initial promise, injuries and inconsistent form led to another relegation, with Gillingham ending 21st after a 3–0 defeat to Wycombe Wanderers on the final day. Stimson left by mutual consent shortly after on 10 May 2010. Stimson joined League Two side Barnet on 1 June 2010, aiming to stabilize a mid-table squad through strategic recruitment and defensive organization. Early results showed promise, but a poor run of form, including a 2–1 home loss to Aldershot Town on 31 December 2010, saw the team drop near the relegation zone, prompting his sacking on 2011 after just 26 matches. In September 2011, Stimson took over at Conference National club Town, inheriting a side plagued by severe financial difficulties, including a transfer embargo and the need to place the entire first-team squad on the transfer list to generate funds. Despite attempts to rebuild with limited resources and maintain competitiveness, the club's ongoing crisis—exacerbated by ownership disputes and unpaid wages—hindered progress, leaving in the relegation places. Stimson departed on 4 January 2012, with former manager Mark Cooper assuming caretaker duties amid the turmoil.

Non-league management (2012–present)

In May 2012, Stimson was appointed manager of in the Premier Division following the club's relegation from the Conference South. He guided the team through six seasons in the division, achieving mid-table stability amid financial challenges, before the club folded in May 2018 due to insurmountable debts. Following Thurrock's collapse, Stimson took over as manager of in the South Central Division on 10 May 2018. His tenure lasted until 28 2018, during which he integrated several players from his previous squad and aimed for playoff contention, though the side finished mid-table. Stimson joined AFC as manager on 29 November 2018, replacing Jim McFarlane in the North Division. Under his leadership, the team reached the playoff final in 2021–22 but lost to , and finished second in 2022–23 but lost 2–1 (a.e.t.) to in the play-off final. A highlight was the 2020–21 season, where won the , defeating 3–1 in the final at —Stimson's fourth such triumph as a manager. The 2019–20 campaign was curtailed by the , with placed third in the league standings when play was suspended. Stimson departed in May 2023 after five years, having emphasized resilient performances in cup competitions and steady league progress. In July 2023, Stimson returned to Grays Athletic as manager in the North Division, marking his second spell at the club where he had previously won two FA Trophies. His tenure ended abruptly on 20 November 2023, with the team near the relegation zone, leading to his sacking alongside his coaching staff. Stimson was appointed manager of in the South East Division on 6 December 2023. He managed the club until 27 April 2024, when he was dismissed following a poor run of form that left in the lower reaches of the table. During this period, his approach continued to prioritize competitive cup performances, though league results proved challenging amid squad transitions. In April 2025, Stimson joined Cray Wanderers as assistant first-team manager in the Premier Division, supporting head coach Tim for the 2025–26 season. In this role, he contributes to first-team operations, drawing on his extensive non-league experience to aid tactical preparation and player development. Throughout his non-league management career since , Stimson has evolved his to emphasize integration and success in knockout competitions, leveraging lower-tier resources for memorable cup runs like the 2021 victory while navigating club instabilities such as foldings and short tenures. This focus has sustained his reputation for achieving with limited budgets across multiple and Kent-based clubs.

Personal life

Family

Mark Stimson is married and has three children. One of his sons, Charlie Stimson (born 1 March 1992), followed in his father's footsteps by pursuing a career in football as a forward, initially joining Gillingham's youth team in 2008 under Mark's management there. Charlie later played professionally for clubs including Barnet, where he made his debut in 2010 shortly after his father's appointment as manager, as well as , , and AFC Hornchurch, all under Mark's guidance. As of 2025, he plays for in the Premier Division. In 2023, Mark Stimson became involved in an altercation at Town Football Club following an match, where he assaulted another male by beating. The incident occurred around 6 p.m. on 9 September and resulted in no reported serious injuries to the victim. Stimson, aged 56 at the time, appeared for trial at Magistrates' Court on 16 July 2024, where he was found guilty of by beating. The court imposed a total financial penalty of £1,052, comprising a £180 fine, £50 compensation to the victim, a £72 , and £750 in costs to Prosecution Service. Following the conviction, on 7 November 2024, imposed a six-month suspension on Stimson from all football activities, which concluded in May 2025. The case received brief coverage in local and media outlets, highlighting Stimson's past managerial roles with clubs such as and Gillingham.

Statistics

Playing statistics

Mark Stimson's professional playing career, primarily as a defender, saw him make 254 appearances and score 5 goals across league and competitions. In the Football , he recorded 232 appearances and 4 goals, with an additional 17 appearances and 1 goal in domestic cups, and 5 appearances in other competitions. His non-league contributions, including stints at & Redbridge, , and Grays Athletic, added further appearances, though detailed breakdowns for these levels are less comprehensively documented in major databases.

Career Totals by Competition

CompetitionAppearances (Subs)Goals
Football League232 (14)4
4 (0)0
13 (0)1
Other Cups5 (0)0
Non-League~1000
Total~354 (14)5
Note: Non-league figures are approximate based on available records from later career appearances in the and related cups, including estimates for (~72 total apps).

Club-by-Club Breakdown

Stimson's club statistics reflect his time across various levels of English football, with loans noted where applicable.
ClubSeasonsLeague Apps (Subs)League GoalsCup Apps (Subs)Cup GoalsTotal AppsTotal Goals
Tottenham Hotspur1985–19891 (1)00 (0)010
Leyton Orient (loan)198810 (0)00 (0)0100
Gillingham (loan)1989–199018 (0)00 (0)0180
Newcastle United1989–199382 (4)20 (0)0822
(loan)1992–19933 (1)00 (0)030
1993–199657 (1)215 (0)1723
Barnet (loan)1995–19965 (0)01 (0)060
Southend United1996–199952 (5)06 (0)0580
Dagenham & Redbridgec. 1999Not recordedNot recordedNot recordedNot recordedNot recordedNot recorded
Leyton Orient19994 (2)00 (0)040
1999–2002Not recordedNot recordedNot recordedNot recorded~720
Grays Athletic2002–2004Not recordedNot recordedNot recordedNot recordedLimited0
Cup apps include , , and other domestic competitions. Non-league details for & Redbridge, , and Grays Athletic are estimated from career aggregates, as primary records focus on professional levels.

Managerial statistics

Mark Stimson's managerial career spans over two decades, primarily in the lower tiers of English football, with a total of 235 matches managed across various clubs as of 2025, yielding 80 wins, 58 draws, and 97 losses for a win percentage of 34% and an average of 1.27 points per match. His record reflects a mix of league and cup competitions, with particular strength in non-league settings. Since July 2025, Stimson has served as assistant manager at Cray Wanderers, a role that does not contribute to his personal managerial statistics. The following table summarizes Stimson's record at select clubs where detailed figures are available, focusing on his most prominent tenures in league and all competitions:
ClubTenureMatchesWinsDrawsLossesWin %Points per MatchSource
July 2006 – October 20077238132152.781.76BoroGuide
November 2007 – May 201014448415533.331.28Gillingham FC
BarnetJuly 2010 – January 201126----0.77Transfermarkt
Kettering TownSeptember 2011 – January 201221----0.81Transfermarkt
Stimson enjoyed longer spells in non-league football, including six years at (2012–2018) and nearly five years at (2018–2023, including the 2021 ), where he achieved promotions and cup success, though comprehensive match breakdowns for these periods are not detailed in available records. His shorter stints, such as at (December 2023 – April 2024) and a second spell at Grays Athletic (July–November 2023), added 41 matches combined but yielded lower points averages amid challenging circumstances. In cup competitions, Stimson holds a remarkable record in the , the premier non-league knockout tournament. He won the competition three consecutive seasons as manager—2005 and 2006 with Grays Athletic, and 2007 with —before adding a fourth title in 2021 with , who defeated 3–1 in the final. This success underscores his expertise in knockout formats, contributing significantly to his overall win rate in cup ties.

Honours

As a player

During his time as a midfielder for Canvey Island in the Isthmian League, Stimson was part of the team that won the FA Trophy in the 2000–01 season, marking the club's first major honour. In the final at Villa Park on 13 May 2001, Canvey defeated Forest Green Rovers 1–0 before a crowd of 10,007, with Stimson playing a key role by delivering a precise centre from a short corner that led to Ben Chenery's headed goal in the 16th minute. His defensive work and midfield presence helped secure the upset victory against higher-league opposition, contributing to Canvey's reputation as non-league giant-killers during that era.

As a manager

Stimson's managerial career is most notably defined by his success in the , where he led teams to victory on four occasions, establishing him as one of the competition's most successful figures. With Grays Athletic, he guided the team to the 2004–05 final, defeating Hucknall Town 1–1 (6–5 on penalties) at . The following season, Grays retained the with a 2–0 win over at Upton Park in 2005–06. Stimson then achieved a third consecutive success with Borough in 2006–07, coming from behind to beat Harriers 3–2 at the new . His fourth triumph came in 2020–21 with , who overcame 3–1 in the final, marking the club's first win in the competition. In league competitions, Stimson secured promotions that elevated his teams through the non-league pyramid. At Grays Athletic, he won the Premier Division in 2003–04, earning promotion to the Conference South. The subsequent 2004–05 season saw Grays claim the Conference South title, securing elevation to the Conference National. Later, with Gillingham in the Football League, Stimson led the side to promotion via the 2009 League Two play-off final, defeating Shrewsbury Town 1–0 at with a late header. At , his team was awarded the Essex Senior League title for the 2019–20 season, which was curtailed due to the , resulting in promotion to the Premier Division. Overall, Stimson's honours include four wins, three league titles, and a League Two play-off success, spanning non-league and Football League levels. His repeated triumphs in cup competitions, particularly the , have cemented his legacy as a specialist in football, with a reputation for building resilient sides capable of performing on big stages. This track record underscores his impact on lower-tier English football, where he has influenced multiple clubs' upward trajectories.

References

  1. https://www.stevenagefootballarchive.com/manager.php?id=10
  2. https://www.thenonleaguefootballpaper.com/latest-news/non-league-paper/391703/hornchurch-boss-mark-stimson-makes-it-a-famous-five-in-the-fa-trophy/
  3. https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/football/former-pompey-defender-mark-stimson-aims-to-continue-his-fa-trophy-love-affair-3123663
  4. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/18082805
  5. https://www.cray-wanderers.com/cray-wanderers-fc-announcement-tim-oshea-appointed-cray-wanderers-first-team-manager-2025-26/
  6. https://www.kentsportsnews.com/stimson-appointed-wands-assistant-17-04-2025/
  7. http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football/newcastle-united/mark-stimson-8672/league-appearances_a18369/
  8. https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe69362/mark-stimson/
  9. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/1328114.stm
  10. https://elitesoccercoaching.net/markstimson
  11. https://www.boroguide.co.uk/managers/11/
  12. https://www.romfordrecorder.co.uk/sport/hornchurch-boss-stimson-on-bus-parade-8219430/
  13. https://www.kentonline.co.uk/medway/sport/six-month-football-ban-for-former-gillingham-manager-315533/
  14. http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football/portsmouth-fc/mark-stimson-8672/league-appearances_a40960/
  15. https://www.transfermarkt.us/mark-stimson/profil/spieler/884504
  16. https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=7641
  17. https://www.transfermarkt.us/mark-stimson/detaillierteleistungsdaten/spieler/884504
  18. https://www.transfermarkt.com/mark-stimson/profil/spieler/884504
  19. https://www.thenonleaguefootballpaper.com/features/30182/fa-trophy-2000s-mark-stimson-the-trophy-king-of-the-noughties/
  20. https://www.romfordrecorder.co.uk/sport/mark-stimson-fa-trophy-final-wins-7934612/
  21. https://www.thenonleaguefootballpaper.com/features/featured/10723/the-good-bad-and-ugly-thurrock-manager-mark-stimson/
  22. https://www.graysathletic.co.uk/a/club-history202425-pen-picsclub-honours-20834.html?page=1
  23. https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/1249109.ex-grays-boss-stimmo-still-loves-fa-trophy/
  24. http://www.englandfootballonline.com/matchrsl/MatchRslTmC.html
  25. https://www.doingthe92.com/display_player.asp?step=61&ID=70&pid=42686&ptag=Mark_Stimson
  26. https://www.footballdatabase.eu/en/player/details/24881-mark-stimson
  27. https://www.graysath-online.com/stats/matchdetails.php?id=123
  28. https://www.bbc.co.uk/essex/content/articles/2006/05/15/grays_trophy_feature.shtml
  29. https://www.footballdatabase.eu/en/match/overview/1138067-grays_athletic-woking
  30. https://www.graysathletic.co.uk/news/from-the-archives-2554827.html
  31. https://gameofthepeople.com/2016/12/29/the-non-league-100-grays-athletic-2004-06-a-kind-of-boom-and-bust/
  32. https://www.bbc.co.uk/threecounties/content/articles/2007/05/09/fatrophy_kidderminster_stevenage_120507_result.shtml
  33. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/6649807.stm
  34. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/s/stevenage/7049044.stm
  35. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/g/gillingham/7073636.stm
  36. https://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent/news/gillingham-fc-appoint-new-manage-a33089/
  37. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/g/gillingham/7240784.stm
  38. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_3/8048284.stm
  39. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/g/gillingham/8672351.stm
  40. https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11770/6629684/stimson-sacked-by-bees
  41. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/b/barnet/9332504.stm
  42. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/15742401
  43. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/16418695
  44. https://www.transfermarkt.com/mark-stimson/profil/trainer/7878
  45. https://www.thurrockgazette.co.uk/sport/16134552.stimson-thanks-team-efforts/
  46. https://www.thenonleaguefootballpaper.com/latest-news/24723/afc-hornchurch-appoint-waltham-abbey-boss-mark-stimson-as-manager/
  47. https://www.hornchurchfcarchive.com/club-information/a-brief-history/
  48. https://fchd.info/HORNCHUR.HTM
  49. https://www.thefa.com/news/2021/may/22/buildbase-fa-trophy-hereford-hornchurch-20210522
  50. https://www.hornchurchfcarchive.com/club-information/season-archives/
  51. https://www.graysathletic.co.uk/news/mark-stimson-returns-as-1st-team-manager-of-grays-athletic-2780777.html
  52. https://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/23936223.former-southend-united-defender-mark-stimson-sacked-grays-athletic/
  53. https://www.kentonline.co.uk/bexley-and-bromley/sport/new-cray-boss-turns-to-former-gills-manager-323334/
  54. https://fanbanter.co.uk/mark-stimson-found-guilty-by-court-after-incident-after-fa-trophy-match/
  55. https://www.thecomet.net/news/24468899.former-manager-stevenage-fc-found-guilty-assault/
  56. https://www.thenonleaguefootballpaper.com/latest-news/490817/trophy-winner-stimson-found-guilty/
  57. https://www.transfermarkt.com/mark-stimson/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/884504
  58. https://www.transfermarkt.com/mark-stimson/leistungsdatenDetail/trainer/7878
  59. https://nonleagueandacademyfootballwriter.co.uk/2024/02/02/looking-at-margate-manager-mark-stimsons-background-in-football-as-both-a-player-and-as-a-coach-a-vastly-experienced-manager-in-the-game/
  60. https://www.romfordrecorder.co.uk/sport/21474610.hornchurch-boss-stimson-hunts-fifth-fa-trophy-winners-medal/
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