Alex Sykes

Sykes was a product of the youth setups at both Hereford United and Mansfield Town.{{cite web |url=http://www.neilbrown.newcastlefans.com/mansfield/mansfield.html |title=Mansfield Town 1946/47-2007-08 |publisher=neilbrown.newcastlefans.com/mansfield}} He had originally begun his career with Westfields who received a club record fee of £4,000 from Mansfield for his services in 1992.{{Cite web| url=http://www.herefordtimes.com/sport/10787757.Westfields_Football_Club_old_boy_Alex_Sykes_out_to_mastermind_Shortwood_United_FA_Cup_win_against_League_One_Port_Vale/ |title=Westfields Football Club old-boy Alex Sykes out to mastermind Shortwood United FA Cup win against League One Port Vale |work=Hereford Times|date=8 November 2013 |accessdate=25 May 2014}} He made his senior debut for Mansfield in a Football League match against Walsall, scoring on his debut. He turned down the offer of a new contract from manager Andy King to attend university in Cheltenham at the University of Gloucestershire.

During this time he played for defunct Hellenic League club Endsleigh, and also for the reserves at Cheltenham Town. He signed for Forest Green Rovers in March 1996 and was part of their successful double league winning side that won back-to-back promotions into the Football Conference in 1998 under Frank Gregan.

In 1999, Sykes reached the final of the FA Trophy with Forest Green at Wembley Stadium but the club lost 1–0 against Kingstonian. He finished as top goal scorer in the competition that season and scored in the semi-final second leg against St Albans City.

He then joined fellow Conference side Nuneaton Borough, ruling out the opportunity to sign for Stevenage Borough.{{Cite web| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/n/nuneaton_borough/872165.stm |title=Gittens joins Nuneaton Borough |publisher=BBC Sport |date=9 August 2000}}{{cite web |url=http://www.cwn.org.uk/sport/football/nuneaton-borough/2000/08/000821-nuneaton-opener.htm |title=First Home League Match for the Borough |publisher=cwn.org.uk |date=21 August 2000}} His first goal for Nuneaton Borough came on 28 August 2000 in a 4–2 away defeat against Morecambe.{{Cite web| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/898676.stm |title=Morecambe 4-2 Nuneaton |publisher=BBC Sport |date=28 August 2000 |accessdate=29 September 2014}} He helped the club to an FA Cup giant killing against Stoke City however he returned to Forest Green on loan in March 2001 until the end of the season. He made 7 appearances on loan back at Forest Green scoring 2 goals, the first of which again came against Morecambe in April 2001.{{Cite web| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/1286272.stm |title=Morecambe 0-2 Forest Green |publisher=BBC Sport |date=21 April 2001 |accessdate=29 September 2014}} He missed the club's 2001 FA Trophy final defeat against Canvey Island at Villa Park because he had been cup tied from playing for Nuneaton in a previous round.

Sykes returned to Nuneaton for the 2001–02 campaign but re-joined Forest Green permanently under the management of former England international Nigel Spink in January 2002. This was a swap deal with Lee Howey moving the other way. His two final goals for Nuneaton Borough came in one match on 18 September 2001 when his brace helped Nuneaton to a point in an away game against Doncaster Rovers.{{Cite web| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/1545907.stm |title=Doncaster 2-2 Nuneaton |publisher=BBC Sport |date=18 September 2001}} He made his third debut for the club in a 1–1 away draw against Dagenham & Redbridge on 19 January 2002.{{Cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/1766370.stm |title=Dag & Red 1-1 Forest Green |publisher=BBC Sport |date=19 January 2002}} In November 2002, he featured in Forest Green's 0-0 FA Cup first round draw with Exeter City which was broadcast live on Match of the Day.{{Cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/2480783.stm |title=Forest Green 0-0 Exeter |publisher=BBC Sport |date=17 November 2002}}

A loan move to Bath City in September 2003 saw Sykes gain match fitness and he joined Bath permanently in September 2004 after making his final Forest Green appearance in an away defeat against Halifax Town.{{cite web|url=http://www.ilovebathcity.com/index_golf.htm |title='S' Past Players |publisher=ilovebathcity.com |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713010715/http://ilovebathcity.com/index_golf.htm |archivedate=13 July 2011 }} He was a part of the Bath side who pulled off a cup shock beating Barnet away from home in the FA Cup first round in November 2004.{{Cite web| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/3988139.stm |title=Barnet 1-2 Bath City |publisher=BBC Sport |date=13 November 2004}} That result saw Sykes feature in the second round where Bath lost 2–0 away to Football League side Peterborough United.{{Cite web| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/4047589.stm |title=Peterborough 2-0 Bath City |publisher=BBC Sport |date=4 December 2004}}

Sykes suffered from injury problems at Twerton Park and was loaned out to Gloucester City to play under his former manager at Forest Green, Tim Harris. He made his debut against Aylesbury United in December 2005 and played six times in his loan spell before returning to Bath.{{cite web|url=http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=32140 |title=As expected - Mustoe gets Tigers' post |publisher=NonLeagueDaily.com |date=1 January 2006 |url-status=usurped |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121002194752/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=32140 |archivedate=2 October 2012 }} At the end of the season he was released by Bath and re-signed permanently for Gloucester.

He went on to make his second full debut against Maidenhead United in August 2006. He played a pivotal role in Gloucester's 2008–09 season as they gained promotion through the Southern League play-offs. Sykes scored 27 goals including a hat-trick at home to Mangotsfield United.

He spent a few months of the 2009–10 season with Gloucester City in the Conference North as well as a short loan spell at Shortwood United, before departing in December 2009 for Bishop's Cleeve to take on the role of player/assistant manager at Kayte Lane.{{cite web |url=http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/news/Bishops-Cleeve-sign-Sykes-Gloucester-City/article-1566408-detail/article.html |title=Bishops Cleeve sign Sykes from Gloucester City |publisher=thisisgloucestershire |date=2 December 2009 |access-date=27 March 2011 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120914141627/http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/news/Bishops-Cleeve-sign-Sykes-Gloucester-City/article-1566408-detail/article.html |archive-date=14 September 2012 |url-status=dead }}

In October 2020, he came out of retirement at the age of 46 to sign for Hellenic Premier Division side Longlevens.

In May 2011, Sykes was appointed as manager of Bishop's Cleeve following the shock sacking of Paul Collicut.{{cite web |url=http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/sport/New-boss-Sykes-fired-Cleeve-challenge/article-3526620-detail/article.html |title=New boss Sykes fired up for Cleeve challenge |publisher=thisisgloucestershire |date=6 May 2011 |accessdate=6 May 2011 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120917124708/http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/sport/New-boss-Sykes-fired-Cleeve-challenge/article-3526620-detail/article.html |archive-date=17 September 2012 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://sportglos.co.uk/?p=2779 |title=Sykes relishes Cleeve challenge |publisher=SportGlos |date=6 May 2011 |accessdate=9 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724171737/http://sportglos.co.uk/?p=2779 |archive-date=24 July 2011 |url-status=dead }} In his first season as manager, he led Bishop's Cleeve to the club's record high league finish of 11th in the Southern League South & West Division - the club's highest finish in its 107-year history. He also led the club to the final of the Gloucestershire Senior Cup where they lost against Bristol City at Ashton Gate. On the way to the final Bishop's Cleeve defeated the likes of Forest Green Rovers, Bristol Rovers and Cheltenham Town.

At the end of his second season as boss, in April 2013, Sykes stepped down from his role as manager at the club.{{Cite web| url=http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=93375 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101103655/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=93375 | url-status=usurped | archive-date=1 November 2013 |title=Sykes quits as Bishop's Cleeve boss |publisher=Non League Daily |date=30 April 2013}} Just a month later however, and it was announced that Sykes had become joint-manager at fellow Southern League club Shortwood United alongside John Evans.{{Cite web|url=http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=93939 |title=Sykes joints Shortwood as joint-manager |publisher=Non League Daily |date=24 May 2013 |url-status=usurped |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101103739/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=93939 |archivedate=1 November 2013 }} In October 2013, he helped lead Shortwood into the first round of the FA Cup for the first time in their history with an away fourth qualifying round replay win over Aldershot Town.{{Cite web| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24743400 |title=Shortwood: FA Cup progress delights joint boss Alex Sykes |publisher=BBC Sport |date=30 October 2013}}{{Cite web| url=http://www.stroudnewsandjournal.co.uk/sport/10771223.Shortwood_United_shock_Aldershot_Town_to_set_up_FA_Cup_first_round_home_tie_against_League_One_Port_Vale/?ref=mr |title=Shortwood United shock Aldershot Town to set up FA Cup first round home tie against League One Port Vale |publisher=Stroud News & Journal |date=29 October 2013 |accessdate=30 October 2013}} The club went on to host Port Vale in a live televised clash in the first round on 11 November 2013 however suffered a 4–0 defeat.{{Cite web| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24800067 |title=Shortwood United 0-4 Port Vale |publisher=BBC Sport |date=11 November 2013}}{{Cite web| url=http://www.thenonleaguefootballpaper.com/features/the-big-interview/8781/our-chance-to-shine-says-shortwood-united-boss/ |title=Our Chance To Shine, Says Shortwood United Boss |publisher=Non League Paper |date=13 November 2013}} At the end of his first season as joint-boss at Shortwood, he helped lead the club to a 6th-place finish, ending the campaign just one point off the play-offs. He would eventually take sole charge of the club following the retirement of John Evans at the end of the 2015–16 season.{{Cite web| url=http://www.stroudnewsandjournal.co.uk/news/14449783.FOOTBALL__Shortwood_s_farewell_to_boss_John_Evans_and_keeper_Tom_King/ |title=Shortwood's farewell to boss John Evans and keeper Tom King |publisher=Stroud News & Journal |date=25 April 2016}} After leading the side for the 2016–17 season, he left Shortwood in April 2017.{{Cite web| url=http://www.stroudnewsandjournal.co.uk/sport/15217724.BREAKING_NEWS__Shortwood_United_part_company_with_boss_Alex_Sykes/ |title=Shortwood United part company with boss Alex Sykes |publisher=Stroud News & Journal |date=11 April 2017}}

In January 2018, Sykes was appointed as assistant manager at Southern Premier Division side Redditch United, working under manager Tim Harris who he had played for at both Gloucester City and Forest Green Rovers.{{Cite web| url=http://www.redditchadvertiser.co.uk/sport/15802594.Striker_Dior_Angus_leaves_Redditch_United_for_Port_Vale/ |title=Striker Dior Angus leaves Redditch United for Port Vale |publisher=Redditch Advertiser |date=2 January 2018 |accessdate= 2 March 2018}} Following Harris's departure from Redditch in April 2018, Sykes also left the club.{{Cite web| url=http://www.redditchadvertiser.co.uk/sport/16189240.Manager_Tim_Harris_to_leave_Redditch_United/ |title=Manager Tim Harris to leave Redditch United |publisher=Redditch Advertiser |date=27 April 2018}}

In October 2021 he was appointed manager of Cinderford Town.[https://www.cinderfordtown.co.uk/2021/sykes-and-morford-to-take-cinderford-forward/ Sykes and Morford to take Cinderford Forward] Cinderford Town, 31 October 2021 In May 2023, he stepped down from his manager position{{cite web|url=https://www.cinderfordtown.co.uk/2023/manager-announcement-from-cinderford-town-afc/|title=Manager Announcement From Cinderford Town AFC|website=www.cinderfordtown.co.uk|date=3 May 2023|accessdate=27 May 2023}} and was later appointed assistant manager of Evesham United.{{cite web|url=https://www.eveshamunitedfc.com/alex-sykes-joins-management-team/|title=Alex Sykes Joins Management Team|website=www.eveshamunitedfc.com|date=24 May 2023|accessdate=27 May 2023}}

Sykes is a former England Futsal international. He captained his country and scored a hat-trick against Cyprus in May 2006 in a 5–5 draw, this was England's first Futsal international where they avoided defeat.{{Cite web |url=http://www.futsalplanet.com/news/news-01.asp?id=6050 |title=England held by Cyprus |publisher=Futsal Planet |date=30 May 2006 |accessdate=30 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202234133/http://www.futsalplanet.com/news/news-01.asp?id=6050 |archive-date=2 December 2013 |url-status=dead }} In February 2008, he participated in the Kuala Lumpur World 5's competition.{{cite web| url=http://www.thefa.com/England/england-futsal/News/2009/player_diary3 |title=Diary from Kuala Lumpur |publisher=thefa.com | date=1 February 2008}} In September 2013, he returned to futsal, signing for the UoG Futsal Club.{{Cite web |url=http://www.universalfutsal.com/sykes-is-the-next-addition/ |title=Sykes is the 'New' Addition |publisher=universalfutsal.com |date=9 September 2013 |access-date=26 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202234347/http://www.universalfutsal.com/sykes-is-the-next-addition/ |archive-date=2 December 2013 |url-status=dead }}

;As a player

;Forest Green Rovers

• Southern League Premier Division champion: 1997-98
• Southern League Southern Division champion: 1996-97
• FA Trophy runner up: 1998-99

;Gloucester City

• Southern League Premier Division play-off winner: 2008-09
• Gloucestershire Senior Cup runner up: 2008–09, 2009–10

;Bath City

• Southern League Premier Division play-off runner up: 2005-06

;As a manager

;Bishop's Cleeve

• Gloucestershire Senior Cup runner up: 2011-12

;Shortwood United

• Gloucestershire Senior Cup runner up: 2014-15

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.tigerroar.co.uk/alexsykes.php Sykes player history] at Gloucester City
• [http://www.t-ender.co.uk/players/sykesalex.htm Syker player profile] at Gloucester City
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQXQ3wSK3Dg Sykes Futsal for England]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20110724171625/http://sportglos.co.uk/?p=2141 SportGlos Special] on Sykes
• [http://en.uefa.com/futsalworldcup/teams/player=90874/index.html Fifa Futsal World Cup]{{dead link|date=March 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} player profile

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sykes, Alex}}

Category:Living people

Category:1974 births

Category:Alumni of the University of Gloucestershire

Category:Bath City F.C. players

Category:Bishop's Cleeve F.C. managers

Category:Bishop's Cleeve F.C. players

Category:Cinderford Town A.F.C. managers

Category:Gloucester City A.F.C. players

Category:English men's futsal players

Category:English men's footballers

Category:English football managers

Category:Footballers from Newcastle-under-Lyme

Category:Forest Green Rovers F.C. players

Category:Mansfield Town F.C. players

Category:Men's association football midfielders

Category:Nuneaton Town F.C. players

Category:Shortwood United F.C. managers

Category:Shortwood United F.C. players

Category:English Football League players