Ex-Prem star becomes player-manager aged 50 in TENTH tier of English football
Jamie Cureton’s career began with Norwich in the 1990s and the forward is still playing having landed a job as a player-manager in the tenth tier of English football
Jamie Cureton has been named as player-manager of non-league side Kings Park Rangers at the age of 50 – replacing club owner John Pollard in the dugout.
Cureton began his career back in the mid-1990s with Norwich City in the Premier League and he continues to contribute on the pitch during a career than has seen him score in the top 10 tiers of English football. He has played for the likes Bournemouth, Bristol Rovers, Reading, QPR and Colchester in a career which started in 1993.
The striker has previously been the player-manager of Cambridge City and has been handed the same role by Kings Park Rangers. The club currently sit second in Eastern Counties League Division One North and their new manager’s first match in charge will be away to Wivenhoe Town.
Alongside his stint in Cambridge Cureton also has managerial experience with Bishop’s Stortford and Enfield and coached at Arsenal’s academy, which saw him play a part in Bukayo Saka’s development.
Cureton joined the Suffolk-based outfit in October and didn’t need to long to make history by becoming the first player to score in each of the top ten tiers of English football when he scored against Dussindale & Hellesdon Reserves.
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Pollard had led Kings Park to 51 wins in 66 games, including back-to-back promotions and the club thanked him for his contributions with the owner’s attention turning to off-field matters.
A statement read: “John transformed our club and leaves us in an incredibly strong position. His dedication, passion and tactical brilliance brought success we’ll never forget. Polly will now step back from the touchline to focus on developing Kings Park Rangers in his role as club owner, ensuring our continued growth both on and off the pitch. Thank you for everything, gaffer. Once a King, always a King.”
Cureton’s most impressive season saw him scored 30 times for Reading when they were in the third tier, then known as Division Two. He was equally prolific with Colchester when they were in the Championship, ultimately winning the Golden Boot back in 2007 with The U’s.
Despite his desire to keep playing Cureton previously stated that he would never use his role as manager to further his personal ambitions ahead of his players. “I won’t ever put myself above players who I feel need the opportunity and need to be playing,” he said.
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