Marcus Bignot

Marcus Bignot

Born 22 August 1974 (Age 27 at debut)

Position: Defender

(Diamonds player #164)

Total appearances 77 – 1 goal

(68 League, 4 FA Cup, 2 League Cup, 3 League Trophy)

Debut:

10 August 2002 (Away Swansea City)

Final game:

20 March 2004 (Away Brentford)

Born in Birmingham, Marcus started his career with the Birmingham City youth set up, but failed to make the grade joining Telford United in 1994. The defender came to the attention of Jan Molby, who brought him to Conference side Kidderminster Harriers in 1996. During his time at Aggborough, he won an England ‘C’ cap, and in August/September 1997 after just a single season, moved into the Football League when Crewe Alexandra paid £100,000 for his services. After making over 100 appearances at Gresty Road, a contract dispute saw him leave, joining Bristol Rovers in August 2000. His stay was short lived after a change of manager, and he joined QPR in March 2001.

Marcus arrived at Nene Park on 8 August 2002 for the start of their Division 3 title winning season, taking over Tarkan Mustafa’s role at right back. He was then a key player in Diamonds Division 2 side, until financial constraints forced a mass exodus of players in March 2004. Like many Diamonds full-backs he rarely had opportunities for a strike on goal, but did score a memorable goal at Oldham. He had initially been expected to follow manager Brian Talbot to Oldham Athletic, but decided to return to QPR.

While at QPR, he took over the reigns as manager of Birmingham City Ladies for a brief period, and still coaches at Arsenal Ladies. After three years at QPR where he became club captain, he went on loan to Millwall in November 2008, making the move permanent on 15 January 2008 on an eighteen month contract.

On 1 February 2010, he had his contract cancelled by mutual consent, and rejoined Conference side Kidderminster Harriers on a non contract basis until the end of the season on 17 February 2010. He was released in May 2010, and joined Southern League Premier side Brackley Town on 30 July 2010. At the end of the season, he joined Conference North side Solihull Moors as assistant manager and following the resignation of Micky Moore, he became manager on 27 June 2011. A number of successful seasons in management saw him offered a role with League 2 side Grimsby Town in November 2016.  He moved to take over at Chester FC for the 2017-18 season, and at the end of that contract he took up a joint management role at Guiseley FC. His Wikipedia page is here. Hr also took up an additional coaching role with the England U18 set-up in August 2019.

Appearances

2002/2003 – squad number 14

2003/2004 – squad number 2