Dave Challinor (English Professional football manager and former pr.

Quick Info

Profession	Professional football manager and former professional footballer (defender)
Nationality	English
Date of Birth	02/10/1975
Age	50 years
Birthplace	Chester, England

Latest News about Dave Challinor

14/11/2025

Dave Challinor was named League One Manager of the Month for November 2025. The accolade recognizes his successful leadership of Stockport County during that period. He is currently aiming to become the first manager in the club's history to guide them to three promotions.

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Bio/Wiki

Summary	David Paul Challinor is an English professional football manager and former defender, currently in charge of EFL League One club Stockport County. He is known for his long‑throw‑in world record as a player and for guiding several non‑league and lower‑league clubs to promotions.

Physical Stats & More

Height	1.85 m
Playing Position	Defender

Educational Qualification(s)

Planned Study	Sports science at Loughborough University (deferred entry)
Professional Qualification	Qualified physiotherapist

Career

Playing Career	Club: Tranmere Rovers Period: Late 1990s–2002 Notes: Professional defender; also set a world record for the longest football throw‑in at Prenton Park in 1998 (46.34 m / 152 ft), verified by Guinness World Records. Club: Stockport County Period: 2002–2004 Notes: Defender; transferred from Tranmere Rovers in January 2002 for £120,000. Club: Bury Period: 2004–2008 Notes: Defender; joined Bury in January 2004 and remained there until 2008. Club: Colwyn Bay Period: 2010–2011 Notes: Non-contract player.
Managerial Career	Club: Colwyn Bay Period: 2010–2011 Notes: Became manager in 2010 and guided the club into the Conference North. Club: AFC Fylde Period: 2011–2019 Notes: Led the club through multiple promotions and oversaw the development of a new stadium. Club: Hartlepool United Period: 2019–2021 Notes: Manager from November 2019 to November 2021. Club: Stockport County Period: 2021–present Notes: Currently manager of EFL League One club Stockport County; aiming to become the first manager in the club’s history to achieve three promotions.

Playing Career

Club: Tranmere Rovers Period: Late 1990s–2002 Notes: Professional defender; also set a world record for the longest football throw‑in at Prenton Park in 1998 (46.34 m / 152 ft), verified by Guinness World Records.
Club: Stockport County Period: 2002–2004 Notes: Defender; transferred from Tranmere Rovers in January 2002 for £120,000.
Club: Bury Period: 2004–2008 Notes: Defender; joined Bury in January 2004 and remained there until 2008.
Club: Colwyn Bay Period: 2010–2011 Notes: Non-contract player.

Managerial Career

Club: Colwyn Bay Period: 2010–2011 Notes: Became manager in 2010 and guided the club into the Conference North.
Club: AFC Fylde Period: 2011–2019 Notes: Led the club through multiple promotions and oversaw the development of a new stadium.
Club: Hartlepool United Period: 2019–2021 Notes: Manager from November 2019 to November 2021.
Club: Stockport County Period: 2021–present Notes: Currently manager of EFL League One club Stockport County; aiming to become the first manager in the club’s history to achieve three promotions.

Some Lesser Known Facts

1. As a schoolboy, Challinor was a successful javelin thrower, which contributed to his exceptional long throw‑ins.
2. He set a Guinness World Record for the longest football throw‑in (46.34 m / 152 ft) in a special challenge at Prenton Park in 1998, breaking the previous record held by Andy Legg.
3. He deferred entry to study sports science at Loughborough University when Tranmere Rovers offered him a permanent professional contract.
4. While managing Colwyn Bay, he combined his managerial duties with training to become a qualified physiotherapist.

Dave Challinor Professional football manager and former professional footballer (defender) English Chester, England