Brian Dutton

For the Royal Navy bomb-disposal officer, see Brian Dutton (Royal Navy).

Brian Dutton

Personal information
Date of birth	(1985-04-12) 12 April 1985 (age 39)
Place of birth	Malton, England
Position(s)	Defender, midfielder, forward
Team information
Current team	Salisbury (manager)
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2001–2003	Pickering Town
2003–2004	Cambridge United	3	(0)
2004–2005	Pickering Town
2005–2006	Weymouth	28	(5)
2006–2007	Eastleigh	10	(1)
2007	Weymouth	19	(0)
2007	Mangotsfield United	5	(0)
2007	Dorchester Town	2	(0)
2008	Pickering Town
2008–2009	Salisbury City	27	(2)
2009–2010	Harrogate Town	16	(2)
2010	Northwich Victoria	20	(5)
2010–2014	Salisbury City	140	(9)
2014–2016	Havant & Waterlooville	52	(2)
2016–2017	Eastbourne Borough	20	(2)
2017	Salisbury
Total		342+	(28+)
Managerial career
2021	Walsall
2022–	Salisbury
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Brian Dutton (born 12 April 1985) is an English professional football coach and former player who manages Salisbury.

In a 16-year-long playing career, Dutton was a versatile player who was often fielded in a variety of positions in defence, midfield and attack. Apart from a short spell in the Third Division with Cambridge United he spent his entire career playing non-league football, most notably for Salisbury City where he earned two promotions as club captain.

After retiring as a player he went into coaching at Bristol Rovers, joining up with former Salisbury City manager Darrell Clarke. He originally worked with the U21 squad and focused on player recruitment ^[1] before being promoted to first team duties in December 2017.

He followed Clarke to Walsall in the summer of 2019 as his assistant manager, ^[2] before taking over as interim head coach himself when Clarke left the club in February 2021. ^[3] After the season was concluded, Walsall parted ways with Dutton in May 2021. ^[4]

Playing career

Early career

Born in Malton, North Yorkshire, Dutton played for his local team Brooklyn as a child, and was invited to join the Scarborough School of Excellence. ^[5] He also had a trial with Swindon Town. ^[6] He joined his first senior side, Pickering Town, at the age of 16. ^[5] He originally played as a striker but was also capable of dropping back into midfield. ^[6]

He had just broken into Pickering's first team when he was spotted by a Cambridge United scout and was invited for a trial in November 2003. He only played for 30 minutes but was offered a contract on the spot. ^{[5] [6]} Here he settled into a midfield role.

Dutton was released by Cambridge and returned to Pickering Town for the start of the 2004–05 season. ^{[5] [7]}

Brian Dutton was invited to go on trial with Weymouth manager Steve Johnson signing Dutton, who had decided he wanted to return to the game. ^{[5] [8]} He then had his contract extended for another year during which he scored the winning goal in the local derby with Dorchester Town. ^{[9] [10]} Dutton was offered a new contract by the club at the end of the 2005–06 season but turned it down and was released. ^{[8] [11]}

Dutton started the 2006–07 with Eastleigh but an injury kept out of the game for three months. ^{[12] [13]}

Dutton rejoined Weymouth in January 2007. ^{[12] [13]} He left at the end of the 2006–07 season and went on trial with York City. ^{[14] [15]}

He joined Mangotsfield United to keep match fitness and signed for Dorchester Town in September 2007. ^[16] He left the club in October. ^[17]

In March 2008 he re-signed for Pickering Town.

Salisbury City

He joined Salisbury City in the Conference National on a one-year contract in August 2008 after a successful trial spell. ^[18]

After only one year and 27 appearances, he moved to Conference North side Harrogate Town on 23 July 2009. ^[19] After spending half a season at Harrogate Town, he was signed by Northwich Victoria until the end of the 2009–10 season. At the end of the season Brian was offered an improved contract from Northwich but decided to turn it down and to rejoin his former teammate, and now manager, Darrell Clarke, at Salisbury City. ^[20]

He became a utility player for the club, playing in a variety of places all over the pitch, before featuring on a regular basis at centre back – making the position his own. After the temporary departure of captain Chris Giles, manager Darrell Clarke gave the honour of club captain to Dutton, who led Salisbury to the Conference South after a play-off final victory against Hednesford Town on penalties.

He was rewarded with a new contract and club captaincy full-time and went on to help Salisbury to yet another promotion, once again via the playoffs, the final this time was against Chris Kinnear's Dover Athletic. ^[21] Salisbury won the final in extra time, which meant Salisbury had earned promotion to the Conference National, the league they had been thrown out of three seasons earlier and Dutton had managed two promotions in the two seasons he was captain at the club.

Later career

In June 2014, Dutton left Salisbury City to sign for Havant & Waterlooville. ^[22]

Dutton signed for Eastbourne Borough on 6 July 2016. ^[23]

In February 2017, Dutton re-joined Salisbury under new manager Steve Claridge. Alongside playing he worked towards his coaching badges, earning a UEFA A Licence and set up Salisbury soccer schools, providing coaching to children throughout Wiltshire and Hampshire. ^[1]

Coaching career

Bristol Rovers

In March 2017, Dutton was appointed under-23 assistant coach and overseas scout at League One club Bristol Rovers. ^{[1] [24] [25]}

The 2017–18 season saw Dutton promoted to first team duties in late December 2017, standing in for long-time first team coach Steve Yates.

The 2018–19 season saw Dutton continue with his first team duties, mainly focussing on attacking set pieces. The attacking set piece conversion rate improved vastly in comparison to the 2017–18 season, with Bristol Rovers doubling their conversion rate from corners after only 16 games of the season. ^{[26] [27]}

In December 2018, long-time Bristol Rovers manager Darrell Clarke and his assistant Marcus Stewart left the club, being replaced by interim manager Graham Coughlan, assisted by Dutton and Chris Hargreaves. ^[28]

Walsall

In May 2019, Dutton was announced to have left Bristol Rovers ^[29] before he was appointed assistant manager at Walsall a week later where he would again be working alongside Darrell Clarke and Marcus Stewart. ^[2] He became Walsall's head coach in February 2021 after Clarke joined Port Vale. His first match in charge, at home to Cheltenham Town, resulted in a 1–2 defeat. ^[3] Dutton inherited the most inexperienced squad in all four English divisions ^[30] but was particularly commended for the courage he showed by blooding many youngsters into the Walsall team. ^[31] He gave league debuts to Sam Perry, Tom Leak and Joe Willis.  

High-profile former Walsall players such as Elijah Adebayo paid tribute to Dutton and his ability to nurture and develop. Adebayo was quoted saying "Dutton brought me to the football club and Dutts was the main figurehead, not only in training but off the field stuff, checking up on me, giving me little bits of advice, and telling me how I can make the next step up." Adebayo spoke of Dutton being a mentor as well as a coach during his time at Walsall. ^[32]

Many aspects of Walsall's game improved under Dutton. Defensively the team's clean sheet ratio went from 1 in 9 games to 1 in 3 games ^[33] and their goals conceded per game ratio reduced significantly. ^[34] The lack of firepower from the inexperienced squad was a major issue and eventually cost Dutton his job despite the improvements. On 10 May 2021 Walsall parted company with Dutton with Walsall's Chairman Leigh Pomlett saying, "Chairmen often say, 'I made that decision with a heavy heart' and I'm never absolutely convinced they always mean it, on this occasion I can assure you I do, because Brian stepped up to the plate when he didn't need to when Darrell left. He pretty much achieved a lot of the things I wanted him to achieve, particularly with the young players coming through. With the way he dealt with the players, with the courage he showed and the resilience he showed. A lot of the qualities I looks for in human beings that are part of this football club, Brian Dutton has got. Brian did all that he could possibly do at this football club in the few months that he was here, I have nothing but praise for him and I wish him all the best wherever he goes, and I suspect one day he might surface as quite a force and I certainly hope that he does, we all owe him a debt of gratitude." ^[35] On 10 May 2021, after the season was concluded, Walsall announced that they were parting ways with Dutton. ^[4]

Bristol Rovers Return

On 17 March 2022, Dutton returned to League Two side Bristol Rovers in the role of Academy Manager following the departure of Chris Hargreaves. ^[36] In July 2022, Dutton left the club for family reasons. ^[37]

Salisbury

On 14 October 2022, Dutton was appointed manager of one of his former clubs Salisbury following the departure of long-serving manager Steve Claridge. ^[38] Dutton oversaw the remainder of the season with largely the same squad inherited from Claridge, finishing in fifteenth position. In his first full season in charge, the club finished in third position, defeating AFC Totton on penalties in the play-off final to earn promotion to the National League South, their first season at the level since the club's reformation. ^[39]

Personal life

Dutton attended Norton College prior to pursuing a national certificate in sport at York College. Brian was halfway through completing a National Diploma in Sport at York college before he decided to postpone the qualification and become the first ever footballer from York College Academy to sign professional terms with a league football club. ^{[6] [40]} His father is the former jockey Dave Dutton who won the 1981 Scottish Grand National. ^[6]

Managerial statistics

As of match played 17 December 2024

Managerial record by team and tenure

Team	From	To	Record					Ref.
			P	W	D	L	Win %
Walsall	15 February 2021	10 May 2021	20	3	8	9	015.00
Salisbury	14 October 2022	Present	101	40	24	37	039.60
Total			121	43	32	46	035.54

Honours

As a player

Salisbury City

• Southern Football League Premier Division play-offs: 2010–11
• Conference South play-offs: 2012–13 ^[21]

As a manager

Salisbury

• Southern Football League Premier Division South play-offs: 2023–24

References

1. "Who is new Bristol Rovers coach Brian Dutton?". Bristol Post. 15 May 2017. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
2. "Club Statement:Backroom Staff Changes". saddlers.co.uk. 20 May 2019. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
3. "Darrell Clarke: Port Vale appoint Walsall boss as new manager". BBC. 15 February 2021. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
4. "Club Statement: Brian Dutton". saddlers.co.uk. 10 May 2021.
5. "Player Interviews 2005–2006". Weymouth F.C. Archived from the original on 12 December 2005. Retrieved 14 July 2007.
6. "Pikes' striker signs for Cambridge". Gazette and Herald. 26 November 2003. Retrieved 22 July 2007.
7. "Pickering optimistic ahead of new season". Gazette and Herald. 18 August 2004. Archived from the original on 6 August 2007. Retrieved 22 July 2007.
8. "Three new faces & a new Ltd company". Dorset Echo. 22 May 2006. Retrieved 21 July 2007.
9. "Clear-out". Dorset Echo. 6 May 2006. Retrieved 21 July 2007.
10. "Dutton delight". Dorset Echo. 27 December 2006. Retrieved 21 July 2007.
11. "Weymouth boss releases 10 players". BBC Sport. 10 May 2006. Retrieved 14 July 2007.
12. "Brian Dutton". Weymouth F.C. Retrieved 14 July 2007.
13. "Brian Dutton". Dorset Echo. 7 February 2007. Archived from the original on 25 June 2007. Retrieved 21 July 2007.
14. Flett, Dave (19 July 2007). "Anti bodies boost City". The Press. Retrieved 22 July 2007.
15. "York and Leeds draw". Confguide. 14 July 2007. Archived from the original on 6 August 2007. Retrieved 14 July 2007.
16. "Dutton and Lopez sign on". Dorchester Town F.C. 17 September 2007. Archived from the original on 14 November 2007. Retrieved 20 September 2007.
17. "Defender Hill loaned to Bashley". Dorchester Town F.C. 29 October 2007. Archived from the original on 2 November 2007. Retrieved 1 November 2007.
18. "Dutton to sign for Salisbury City". BBC Sport. 5 August 2008. Retrieved 18 August 2008.
19. "Weaver signs trio for Harrogate". BBC Sport. 27 July 2009. Retrieved 27 July 2009.
20. "Whites Kick Off at Home to Glassboys". Sport4Salisbury. 13 August 2010. Retrieved 13 August 2010.
21. "Salisbury City 3–2 Dover Athletic". bluesqsouth.com. Archived from the original on 21 June 2013. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
22. Holt, Joel (5 June 2014). "Old boss Clarke is Harris' best man". Salisbury Journal. Retrieved 6 July 2016.
23. "Defender Dutton joins the Sports". Eastbourne Borough F.C. 6 July 2016. Retrieved 6 July 2016.
24. "Bristol Rovers looking at recruitment from abroad with introduction of new coach". Bristol Post. 12 May 2017. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
25. "Interview: Brian Dutton". Official BRFC TV. 17 August 2017. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
26. ""We've let ourselves down"- Darrell Clarke out to avoid banana skin against Barnet in FA Cup". Bristol Post. 11 November 2018. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
27. "Reaction: Tony Craig post Swansea City U21s". Bristol Rovers FC. 5 December 2018. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
28. "What managers have said about Bristol Rovers caretaker boss Graham Coughlan". Bristol Post. 15 December 2018. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
29. "Brian Dutton To Leave Coaching Role". bristolrovers.co.uk. 13 May 2019. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
30. "Walsall FC Player Appearances | Past & Present | Soccer Base". soccerbase.com. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
31. Keen, Liam. "Leigh Pomlett: Brian Dutton sacking with a 'heavy heart' but Walsall's league finish 'unacceptable'". expressandstar.com. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
32. Keen, Liam. "Elijah Adebayo: Walsall rollercoaster made me". expressandstar.com. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
33. "League Two – goal statistics, over under stats and total goals". SoccerSTATS.com. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
34. "11v11 league table generator". 11v11.com. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
35. "YouTube" . Retrieved 13 July 2021– via YouTube.
36. "New Academy Manager is named". bristolrovers.co.uk. 17 March 2022. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
37. "Anthony named Academy Manager". bristolrovers.co.uk. 4 July 2022.
38. "New Manager Appointed". salisburyfc.co.uk. 14 October 2022. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
39. Rees-Julian, George (6 May 2024). "REPORT: Salisbury promoted to National League South with penalty shootout win". Salisbury Journal. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
40. "Delighted City boss insists he will not waste cash". The Press. 14 July 2007. Retrieved 14 July 2007.

External links

• Brian Dutton at Soccerbase