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Steve Gritt
Steve Gritt
Steve Gritt
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Stephen John Gritt (born 31 October 1957) is an English former football player, manager and scout.

Key Information

His playing career included spells at Charlton Athletic, AFC Bournemouth and Walsall. He was joint manager of Charlton for four years and, from 1996, manager of Brighton & Hove Albion. During a spell at Millwall, Gritt was briefly caretaker manager. After back office roles at Charlton and Bournemouth, he was assistant manager at Ebbsfleet United (2013–2018) and at Macclesfield Town, before joining Dagenham & Redbridge as assistant to Daryl McMahon in January 2020.

Playing career

[edit]

Gritt spent most of his playing career with Charlton Athletic, after joining from home town club AFC Bournemouth in 1977. In his first spell with Charlton, he experienced one relegation to the Third Division (1980), one promotion to the Second Division (1981), one promotion to the First Division (1986), and was a runner-up in the Full Members Cup final of 1987. In 1989, he moved to Walsall for a brief spell but soon returned to Charlton. In his second spell, he experienced another relegation in 1990.

In all, Gritt made 435 appearances for Charlton, with 26 goals, placing him fifth on Charlton's all-time appearance list. He played a further two seasons after being appointed manager, retiring in 1993. He later had brief spells with non-league teams Welling United and Tooting & Mitcham after leaving Charlton in 1995.

Managerial career

[edit]

Gritt was named as joint player-manager of Charlton in 1991, alongside Alan Curbishley. In his four-year tenure, Gritt helped to lay the foundations for future successes under Curbishley, who succeeded him as sole manager in 1995. Several key players were debuted under the joint managers, including Lee Bowyer, John Robinson, Richard Rufus and Shaun Newton, and went on to be important components of Charlton's successful team of the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Gritt was made manager of Brighton & Hove Albion in 1996, who were at the time eleven points adrift at the bottom of the Football League. He was able to turn Brighton's form around, and they successfully avoided relegation to the Conference on the final day of the 1996–97 season. Brighton were never in danger of relegation the following season, but the club's board had higher expectations and Gritt was fired in 1998. Nevertheless, Gritt is still fondly remembered by the Seagulls' supporters.[2]

Gritt later moved to Millwall and became reserve-team manager. In 2000, he had a short spell as caretaker manager of the Lions and was then assistant manager to Mark McGhee until 2003. In June 2004, Gritt returned to Charlton in the role of academy manager,[3] a role he retained until 2010.[4]

From July 2011 to September 2012, Gritt was chief scout at Bournemouth.[5] From June 2013 to October 2018, he was assistant manager at Ebbsfleet United, working with former Charlton team-mate Steve Brown[4] and then, after a spell as chief scout, serving as assistant to Daryl McMahon.[6] In August 2019, Gritt was again appointed assistant manager to McMahon, this time at Macclesfield Town.[7] Both resigned on 2 January 2020, citing the club's crippling financial situation,[8] with both subsequently joining Dagenham & Redbridge.[9] Following McMahon's departure in February 2023, Gritt was appointed caretaker manager before departing the club on 17 March 2023 a week after the appointment of Ben Strevens as manager.[10]

Managerial statistics

[edit]

As of 7 March 2023

Team Nat From To Record
G W D L Win %
Charlton Athletic England 24 July 1991 15 June 1995 206 76 50 80 036.89
Brighton & Hove Albion England 11 December 1996 25 February 1998 62 14 18 30 022.58
Millwall (caretaker) England 17 September 2000 25 September 2000 2 2 0 0 100.00
Dagenham & Redbridge (caretaker) England 24 February 2023 10 March 2023 4 2 0 2 050.00
Total 274 94 68 112 034.31

Personal life

[edit]

Gritt suffered a tragedy on 7 December 2002 when his 18-year-old daughter Hayley died as a result of cancer. Hayley, who had battled a brain tumour for 10 years, was a lifelong Charlton supporter and a season ticket holder at The Valley, even after her father's departure from the club in 1995.[11] Gritt has been involved in numerous fundraising activities for cancer charities ever since.

References

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

Steve Gritt

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Steve Gritt (born 31 October 1957) is an English former professional footballer and manager, renowned for his extensive playing career as a primarily with Charlton Athletic and for his pivotal role in preventing & Albion's relegation from the Football League in 1997. Gritt began his professional playing career with in 1975, where he spent two seasons before joining Charlton Athletic in 1977, a club he would represent for the majority of his 18-year playing tenure, appearing in over 500 matches and contributing to their promotion to the top flight in 1986. After a brief stint with in 1989–1990, he returned to Charlton until his retirement in 1993. Transitioning into management, Gritt took charge of Charlton Athletic from 1991 to 1995, guiding the team through competitive seasons in the second tier. His most celebrated managerial achievement came at Brighton & Hove Albion, where he was appointed in December 1996 amid a severe financial crisis and the impending closure of the club's historic Goldstone Ground. Under Gritt's leadership, Brighton secured survival in the Football League on the final day of the 1996–97 season with a 1–1 draw against Hereford United, marking one of the most dramatic escapes in English football history and earning him enduring recognition among Seagulls supporters. Later roles included assistant manager positions at various clubs, culminating in his tenure as assistant at Dagenham & Redbridge until 2023, and as of 2025 he serves as assistant manager at Hornchurch in the Isthmian League.

Playing career

AFC Bournemouth

Steve Gritt was born on 31 October 1957 in , . His early involvement in football began at Kings Park First School, where he played for the school's team in 1969, showcasing his initial talent in the sport. Gritt signed as a youth player with his hometown club, , in 1975. Over the next two seasons, from 1975 to 1977, he made a limited number of first-team appearances, totaling 6 league games in Division 4 during the 1976–77 season and scoring 3 goals. As a young , Gritt's style was characterized by hard work and industry, prioritizing effort and tenacity over technical flair. These opportunities were constrained by strong competition within the senior squad, which favored more established players ahead of emerging youth talents like Gritt. In July 1977, Gritt transferred to Charlton Athletic, a move that proved pivotal in advancing his professional career to a higher level.

Charlton Athletic

Gritt joined Charlton Athletic from in July 1977 and went on to make 435 appearances for the club, scoring 26 goals, across two spells until his retirement from full-time professional football in 1993. As a tenacious , he formed key partnerships and was instrumental in the club's promotion to the First Division in 1986, achieved via a dramatic play-off victory over Leeds United at . During his first stint from 1977 to 1989, Gritt was a regular player, helping stabilize the team through relegations and returns. After a brief to in 1989–90, he returned and continued to feature, making 44 league appearances between 1990 and 1993, even as he transitioned into a joint player-manager role in 1991.

Walsall and non-league clubs

In 1989, amid uncertainty in his role at Charlton Athletic following the club's fluctuating fortunes, Steve Gritt joined on a short-term loan. During the 1989-90 season in Division Three, he made 20 league appearances and scored 1 goal for the Saddlers, contributing to their midfield efforts before returning to Charlton in early 1990. This brief stint marked a transitional phase in Gritt's career, reflecting the physical demands and positional versatility that had defined his earlier longevity at Charlton but now signaled an impending decline. Gritt retired from full-time professional football in 1993 at the age of 35, concluding a 16-year career that saw him accumulate 406 league appearances across all clubs. His decision was influenced by the cumulative physical toll of years as a versatile midfielder and defender, though he continued playing part-time in non-league football to stay involved in the game. Following retirement, Gritt had brief spells with non-league sides Welling United and Tooting & Mitcham United, where he occasionally laced up his boots while beginning his shift toward scouting and coaching roles. He later reflected that these outings, while enjoyable, began to interfere with his emerging off-field responsibilities, underscoring the challenges of transitioning from player to coach in the lower tiers of English football.

Managerial career

Charlton Athletic

In 1991, following the departure of manager Lennie Lawrence to , Steve Gritt was appointed as joint player-manager of Charlton Athletic alongside his former teammate , with whom he had formed a strong midfield partnership during their playing days at the club. This arrangement marked Gritt's transition from active player to a role, as the duo initially served as joint first-team coaches before their titles were upgraded to joint managers ahead of the 1992–93 season. The club faced significant challenges during this period, including ongoing financial difficulties that necessitated the sale of key players to cover wages and mounting debts accumulated from years of instability. Additionally, Charlton were still enduring the disruptions of groundsharing, having been forced to leave The Valley in 1988 due to safety concerns and temporarily relocating to United's Upton Park, with threats of further upheaval as they navigated a return to their traditional home in 1992. Under Gritt and Curbishley's stewardship, the focus was on steadying the ship amid these pressures, fostering the development of young talents such as , John Robinson, , and Shaun Newton. Key achievements included stabilizing Charlton in the Second Division during the 1991–92 season, where they finished seventh and successfully avoided relegation after a precarious start following their drop from the top flight the previous year. The joint management duo maintained competitive form in subsequent years, though they fell short of promotion, ending the 1992–93 campaign in 12th place in the newly formed First Division. Gritt's tenure ended in 1995 amid boardroom changes, as incoming chairman Richard Murray expressed dissatisfaction with the joint-manager structure and opted to install Curbishley as sole manager, prompting Gritt's resignation. This shift concluded a four-year collaboration that had provided essential continuity during a turbulent era for the club.

Brighton & Hove Albion

Steve Gritt was appointed as manager of & Hove Albion on 11 December 1996, replacing during a period of acute for the club. At the time, were rooted to the bottom of the , 11 points from safety and facing the threat of expulsion to due to mounting debts and the recent sale of their home to developers. The club entered administration shortly after Gritt's arrival, compounded by a two-point deduction for pitch invasions during fan protests against the board's asset-stripping policies, leaving the team in dire need of a turnaround. Drawing briefly on his prior joint managerial experience at Charlton Athletic, Gritt focused on instilling belief in a squad hit by low morale and limited resources. Gritt's tenure saw immediate improvements, with the team embarking on a remarkable 12-game unbeaten run at the , including 10 victories that formed the backbone of their survival bid. Key results included a 3-0 debut win over Hull City and a 5-0 thrashing of Hartlepool United, where striker Craig Maskell scored a , helping to close the gap to relegation rivals. The season's climax came on 3 May 1997 in the final match against United at , where Brighton, level on 46 points with their hosts but trailing on , conceded first to Kerry Mayo's before Robbie Reinelt equalized in the 62nd minute for a 1-1 draw. This result secured Brighton's Football League status on , averting what Gritt later described as an existential "death sentence" for the club, with over 3,000 traveling fans erupting in celebration. Throughout his 15-month spell until 25 February 1998, Gritt managed 62 matches, achieving 14 wins, 18 draws, and 30 losses for a win percentage of 22.58%, while contending with ongoing player sales to alleviate debts and the disruption of relocating to Gillingham's for the 1997-98 season after the Goldstone's final game—a 1-0 win over Rovers. Despite these efforts, were relegated to the Fourth Division at the end of the 1997-98 campaign, prompting Gritt's dismissal in February 1998 as the board sought fresh direction amid continued instability. His legacy endures as the on-pitch savior who preserved the club's professional status during its darkest hour, preventing total collapse and laying groundwork for future recovery.

Millwall and Dagenham & Redbridge

In 2000, following the dismissal of joint managers Keith Stevens and Alan McLeary on 17 , Steve Gritt served as joint at alongside until Mark McGhee's appointment on 25 . During this brief spell, they oversaw one league match on 23 , a 5–0 home victory over Oxford United in the Second Division. This transitional role came amid club instability after a poor start to the 2000–01 season, but Gritt did not secure a permanent position and instead continued as assistant manager under McGhee. Gritt returned to a caretaker managerial over two decades later at Dagenham & Redbridge, stepping up jointly with Dave Jupp on 24 2023 after Daryl McMahon's amid a challenging relegation fight in the National League. They managed four league matches until Ben Strevens' appointment on 10 March, recording two wins and two losses for a points-per-match average of 1.50. The results included a 2–1 away victory over league leaders Notts County on 25 , a 1–2 away defeat to Maidenhead United on 28 , a 2–1 home win against York City on 4 March, and a 0–4 home loss to on 7 March. These stopgap efforts provided temporary stability during a turbulent period of staff changes at the club, but Gritt departed on 17 March without earning a full-time .

Coaching career

Academy and assistant roles

Following his departure from management roles in the late 1990s, Steve Gritt transitioned into youth development and supportive coaching positions, focusing on player mentoring and tactical guidance without primary leadership duties. In June 2004, Gritt was appointed academy manager at Charlton Athletic, a role he described as his "dream job" due to his long history with the club as a player and former joint manager. He succeeded Mick Browne and began officially on July 1, 2004, with responsibilities centered on nurturing young talent for progression to the first team and maintaining the academy's reputation for producing quality players. Gritt's tenure at Charlton emphasized hands-on mentoring of academy prospects, emphasizing discipline, skill development, and tactical awareness to prepare them for professional demands. During this period from 2004 to 2010, the academy produced several players who broke into the senior squad, including versatile midfielder , who debuted for the first team in August 2008 after rising through the youth ranks under Gritt's oversight. Gritt's approach prioritized long-term growth over immediate results, drawing on his playing experience to instill resilience in young players facing competitive pressures. He departed the role in June 2010 as part of the club's cost-cutting measures amid financial challenges. In parallel with his academy work, Gritt held assistant manager positions at various clubs in the and 2000s, providing tactical input and operational support to head coaches. After leaving Brighton & Hove Albion in 1998, he joined in 1999 as reserve-team manager, where he focused on developing fringe and youth players through targeted training sessions. In September 2000, Gritt briefly served as at for one match following the dismissal of Alan McLeary, but quickly returned to an assistant role under from late 2000 until June 2003, contributing to team strategy and player preparation during a period of squad rebuilding in the second tier. These roles allowed Gritt to influence tactics and youth integration without the full weight of head responsibilities, leveraging his expertise to bridge development pathways at lower-league and levels. Earlier in the , specific assistant spells remain less documented, though Gritt's post-Brighton transition highlighted his preference for supportive coaching amid limited head opportunities.

Hornchurch appointment

In January 2024, Steve Gritt was appointed assistant manager at in the Premier Division, joining forces with new head manager to replace , who had departed for Sutton United mid-season. At the time of their arrival, led the league by nine points, and the duo's immediate focus was to maintain momentum toward promotion to the amid the typical financial limitations of , where budgets rely heavily on local sponsorships and gate receipts. Gritt's extensive experience from prior assistant roles at clubs like Ebbsfleet United and Dagenham & Redbridge provided valuable insights into squad management and player recruitment in resource-constrained environments. Under McMahon and Gritt, clinched the Premier Division title in April 2024, securing promotion with a strong finish that included key victories such as a 3-1 win over Billericay Town, ensuring their return to step two of after a decade away. The promotion campaign highlighted Gritt's contributions to squad stability, retaining core players like captain Ryan Scott while integrating loanees to bolster depth without significant expenditure. In their debut National League South season of 2024–25, Hornchurch faced adaptation challenges typical of newly promoted sides, finishing 9th in the 24-team division with a balanced record that reflected resilience despite injuries to key personnel early in the campaign. Notable matches included a 1-0 home win against Town in November 2024, marking their first back-to-back victories of the season and showcasing defensive organization under Gritt's influence, as well as a resilient 1-1 draw against on 1 February 2025 at home, despite playing with 10 men for much of the game after captain Ryan Scott received a red card in the 29th minute. Squad building emphasized pragmatic signings, such as forward Angelo Balanta, who contributed 7 goals, helping stabilize the team amid the step-up in competition. As of November 2025, Gritt continued in his assistant role during Hornchurch's strong start to the 2025–26 season, where the team topped the table after 17 matches with 38 points, including an unbeaten run that surprised observers given the league's competitiveness. This performance underscored Gritt's hands-on approach to lower non-league coaching, focusing on tactical discipline and player development drawn from his academy background, while navigating ongoing financial constraints through youth integration and targeted free transfers.

Personal life

Family background

Steve Gritt was born on 31 October 1957 in , a coastal town in Dorset, , where he spent his early years growing up in a local environment that fostered his initial interest in football. His footballing talent emerged during his school days, particularly at Kings Park First School, where he played for the school's team in 1969 at the age of 11, showcasing early promise in the sport amid the supportive setting of his hometown community.

Charitable involvement

Steve Gritt's charitable involvement stems from the profound personal tragedy of losing his daughter Hayley to cancer in 2002. Hayley, an 18-year-old Charlton Athletic season-ticket holder, died peacefully on 7 December 2002 after battling a tumour. This loss deeply affected Gritt, motivating his ongoing support for cancer charities through within the football community. Post-2002, he has participated in events to raise awareness and funds, leveraging his connections in the sport to amplify impact. In September 2013, Gritt joined former players and for the fifth annual golf day at Golf Club, contributing to efforts that raised over £3,000 for The Mr Brightside Project, a charity focused on bowel cancer awareness and education. Similarly, in May 2022, as assistant manager at & Redbridge, Gritt completed an 11-kilometre walk across 10 of London's iconic bridges to honor his brother-in-law Mark Archer, who succumbed to lymphoma in February 2021; the event supported cancer initiatives via a campaign. In December 2024, Gritt attended a Legends' Lunch event for the Brighton & Hove Albion Foundation, which raised £28,000 for community initiatives.

References

  1. https://www.transfermarkt.com/steve-gritt/profil/trainer/3130
  2. https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/steve-gritt/
  3. https://www.brightonandhovealbion.com/media-article/Celebrate-a-special-25th-anniversary-with-Steve-Gritt
  4. https://www.playmakerstats.com/manager/steve-gritt/42531
  5. https://www.transfermarkt.us/steve-gritt/profil/spieler/481523
  6. https://inparallellines.blog/2024/11/20/when-steve-gritt-took-on-the-worst-job-in-football/
  7. http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football/charlton-athletic-fc/steve-gritt-10566/league-appearances_a14974/
  8. https://www.charltonafc.com/news/view/59be9784b2446/mendonca-scores-the-winning-penalty-as-keith-peacocks-xi-triumph-at-legends-united
  9. https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/features/snapshotsofthepast/11785537.afc-bournemouth-youth-team-from-1976-are-identified/
  10. https://cafcfactsstats.com/appearances/
  11. https://www.charltonafc.com/history/mens-club-history/1984-1991-turmoil
  12. https://www.the-independent.com/sport/the-man-with-the-hardest-job-in-football-1314534.html
  13. https://thesetpieces.com/interviews/alan-curbishley/
  14. https://hpbp.substack.com/p/charlton-athletic-when-the-valley
  15. https://www.charltonafc.com/news/view/5a7885060dc9a/unrivalled-valley-pass-archive-extends-to-27-seasons
  16. https://cdn.hattersheritage.co.uk/archive/1992-93%2BSeason%2BDONE/Matches/M4011%2BCharlton%2BAthletic%2Bv%2BLuton%2BTown/Programme/Programme.pdf
  17. https://www.statscrew.com/worldfootball/stats/t-CHAAT925/y-1992
  18. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2006/apr/30/newsstory.charltonathletic
  19. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65101524
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  21. https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/sport/football/albions-do-or-die-match-at-hereford-remembered-20-years-on-857268
  22. https://www.managerstats.co.uk/managers/steve-gritt/
  23. https://www.transfermarkt.us/steve-gritt/profil/trainer/3130
  24. https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37471895/brighton-promoted-premier-league-20-years-selling-their-stadium
  25. https://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=1699&teamTabs=managers
  26. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2000/sep/25/newsstory.sport4
  27. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64813496
  28. https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/steve-gritt/leistungsdatenDetail/trainer/3130/verein_id/3696/datum_zu/2023-02-24/datum_ab/2023-03-09
  29. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64686439
  30. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64272851
  31. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64768132
  32. https://daggers.co.uk/steve-gritt-departs/
  33. https://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent/sport/valley-return-a-dream-for-grit-a13644/
  34. https://www.kentonline.co.uk/dartford/news/former-player-and-manager-steve--a83815/
  35. https://thegoldstonewrap.com/tag/steve-gritt/
  36. https://www.romfordrecorder.co.uk/sport/24087652.daryl-mcmahon-delighted-board-hornchurch/
  37. https://www.romfordrecorder.co.uk/sport/24238011.hornchurch-captain-delighted-seal-title-promotion/
  38. https://www.hornchurchfcarchive.com/club-information/season-archives/
  39. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfYighSJ0JA
  40. https://salisburyfc.co.uk/match-report-hornchurch-1-1-salisbury/
  41. https://ebbsfleetunited.co.uk/preview-hornchurch/
  42. https://www.transfermarkt.com/angelo-balanta/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/43696/saison/2024/wettbewerb/NLS6
  43. https://www.skysports.com/national-league-south-table
  44. https://www.tonbridgeangels.co.uk/match/2025-2026/national-league-south/tonbridge-angels/hornchurch/539639/preview
  45. https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/18641002.recognise-anyone-photos-old-sport-clubs-dorset/
  46. https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/254194.hayley-gritt-dies/
  47. https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/6741923.gritt-relishing-withdean-showdown/
  48. https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/10697332.celebrity-footballers-tee-off-at-shooters-hill-golf-day-in-memory-of-cancer-victim/
  49. https://daggers.co.uk/steve-gritt-completes-charity-walk/
  50. https://www.brightonandhovealbion.com/media-article/foundation-news-christmas-legends-dinner-2024
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