Mark Trueman Explained

Mark Trueman
Birth Date:7 February 1988[1]
Birth Place:Bradford, England
Position:Midfielder
Currentclub:Bradford City (coach)
Youthclubs1:Bradford City
Clubs1:Ossett Town
Years2:2007
Clubs2:Guiseley
Years3:2013
Clubs3:Ossett Albion
Clubs4:Harrogate Railway Athletic
Clubs5:Thackley
Clubs6:Brighouse Town
Clubs7:Eccleshill United
Years8:2017–2018
Clubs8:Silsden
Clubs9:Thackley
Clubs10:Silsden
Years11:2020
Clubs11:Thackley
Manageryears1:2020–2021
Managerclubs1:Bradford City (joint caretaker manager)
Manageryears2:2021
Managerclubs2:Bradford City (joint manager)
Manageryears3:2022
Managerclubs3:Bradford City (caretaker manager)
Manageryears4:2023
Managerclubs4:Bradford City (caretaker manager)

Mark Trueman (born 7 February 1988) is an English football coach and former player who is a coach at Bradford City.

Early life

Trueman was born in Bradford, West Yorkshire.[2]

Playing career

Trueman played youth football for Bradford City, and in non-league football as a midfielder for Ossett Town, Guiseley, Ossett Albion, Harrogate Railway Athletic, Thackley, Brighouse Town and Eccleshill United.[3]

He played for Guiseley in 2007,[4] and Ossett Albion in 2013.[5]

He later played for Silsden,[6] leaving the club in February 2018 to return to Thackley.[7] He later returned to Silsden, before again returning to Thackley in October 2020.[8]

Coaching career

Trueman worked as a youth coach at FC Halifax Town.[9] He later worked for Bradford City as under-18 team manager,[10] before being appointed caretaker manager alongside Conor Sellars in December 2020.[11] [12] Their first match was a 1–1 draw away at Crawley Town on 15 December 2020, the club's first point in six games.[13] [14] The club's CEO Ryan Sparks said that Trueman and Sellars had the board's full support whilst the search for a permanent manager was ongoing.[15] Their second match was a 1–0 victory at home against Cambridge United on 19 December 2020, the club's first league win in eight matches.[16] [17] After the result, Truman and Sellars had a celebratory beer, and then spent seven to eight hours the next day planning for the next game.[18] Trueman later said he intended to move into management after his caretaker spell ended.[19] After leading the club to their third straight win, he downplayed his chances of being appointed permanent manager,[20] but said he was keen to maintain his position as caretaker manager for as long as possible.[21] [22]

On 28 December 2020 it was announced that Trueman and Sellars had been promoted to 'interim' managers and would remain in charge of the team for at least January 2021.[23] [24] [25] In January 2021 he spoke of his confidence that the club could maintain their good form, even though a number of games had been postponed due to COVID-19 and adverse weather,[26] and later that month he spoke about a 'busy' transfer window for the club,[27] as well as about how well the club's players had coped with nearly a month without a competitive match.[28]

In February 2021 Sparks said that Trueman and Sellars were happy with their 'interim' status and were not pushing to be made permanent managers.[29] Later that month, after suffering their first defeat in 9 games under Trueman and Sellars, Trueman said that he was sure the players would bounce back.[30] Later that month Trueman and Sellars were nominated for the January 2021 EFL League Two Manager of the Month award, after 2 wins and 1 draw in their 3 league games that month.[31] Trueman and Sellars were also praised by player Connor Wood for their maturity and detail.[32]

On 22 February 2021 Trueman and Sellars were announced as Bradford City's joint permanent managers, on a contract until the end of the 2021–22 season.[33] They were the youngest managers in the English Football League.[34]

By 8 March 2021, Trueman and Sellars had won 10 out of 15 league games, only losing once, and guided Bradford City from 22nd to 10th in the division.[34] That same day the duo were nominated for the February 2021 EFL League Two Manager of the Month award, after one loss and four successive victories.[35]

In May 2021, after a dip in the team's form which saw them lose 5 matches in a row, Sellars said that he and Trueman would get out of their slump and that they had done their job in guiding the club away from relegation.[36] On 10 May 2021 however, the two managers had their management contracts terminated by the club, having finished the season with a run of just one point from a possible 21 that ended in a mid-table finish.[37] The two were offered alternative roles at the club,[38] [39] who were hopeful that the duo would remain.[40] It was later announced that Trueman would stay with the club as a first-team link coach, although Sellars had yet to make a decision.[41] [42] Sellars left Bradford City on 18 June 2021, after 7 years with the club.[43]

On 22 June 2021 Trueman was promoted to assistant manager at Bradford City,[44] [45] following a conversation with new manager Derek Adams.[46] Player Callum Cooke said Trueman staying with the club was the right decision.[47]

After Adams was sacked as manager in February 2022,[48] Trueman was appointed caretaker manager,[49] his second time in the temporary role.[50] The appointment was supported by Cooke.[51] The club lost Trueman's first game in charge a 2–0 defeat away at Oldham Athletic.[52] He remained in charge for a second game, at home against Harrogate Town,[53] saying he would have to "think outside the box" due to player absences,[54] and that he wanted his players to be more aggressive.[55] Mark Hughes was appointed Bradford City's new manager on 24 February 2022,[56] with Trueman remaining as assistant manager alongside incoming Glyn Hodges.[57] Hughes stated that Trueman was a welcome presence in the backroom staff.[58]

After Hughes and his assistant Glyn Hodges were sacked on 4 October 2023, Trueman remained as assistant manager to caretaker manager Kevin McDonald.[59] On 31 October, Trueman replaced McDonald as caretaker manager.[60] He "promised a smooth transition",[61] and his first game was an FA Cup game against Wycombe Wanderers,[62] which ended in a 2–1 defeat.[63]

Personal life

Trueman is close friends with Pat McGuire[8] and Danny Forrest,[64] both of whom he has worked with.[65]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Mark Trueman . Bradford City A.F.C. . 17 July 2021 . 17 September 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210917103428/https://www.bradfordcityafc.com/on-the-pitch/first-team-staff-profiles/first-team-staff/mark-trueman/ . dead .
  2. Web site: Trueman and Sellars take permanent charge . Bradford City A.F.C. . 22 February 2021 . 17 July 2021.
  3. Web site: Mark Trueman - Eccleshill United Football Club First Team. www.pitchero.com.
  4. Web site: Guiseley face another semi-final. 30 December 2020. Wharfedale Observer. en.
  5. Web site: Tracey turns to experienced trio - The Pitching In Northern Premier League. 30 December 2020. www.thenpl.co.uk. en.
  6. Web site: Trueman on the Mark as Silsden leave it late yet again. Keighley News.
  7. Web site: Trio leave Silsden due to limited first-team action. Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  8. Web site: Thackley boss glad to have Bantams coach and close pal back in midfield. Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  9. Web site: FC Halifax Town: Trueman praises his history boys after title win. www.halifaxcourier.co.uk.
  10. Web site: TRUEMAN LAUDS GROWING RELATIONSHIP WITH FIRST TEAM. www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk.
  11. Web site: Stuart McCall sacked by lowly Bradford City. www.yorkshirepost.co.uk.
  12. Web site: Time for McCall-less Bantams to step up, says temporary boss Trueman. Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  13. Web site: BANTAMS REACTION: Fighting spirit in Crawley draw pleases caretaker boss Trueman. Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  14. Web site: MATCH REPORT: Happier ending to Trueman show as Bantams stop the rot. Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  15. Web site: Stand-in duo aiming to keep it simple for Bantams. Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  16. Web site: BANTAMS REACTION: Trueman's delight as City get back to winning ways. Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  17. Web site: SIMON PARKER'S VERDICT: Dynamic duo put Bantams back on firmer footing. Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  18. Web site: Trueman and Sellars transforming Bradford City's mood. Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  19. Web site: Bantams stand-in boss Trueman keen on step up to management. Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  20. Web site: BANTAMS REACTION: Trueman happy to keep going after another win. Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  21. Web site: Bantams in no need to hurry as Trueman stakes claim. Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  22. Web site: Relaxed caretaker manager Mark Trueman pleased to have bought Bradford City more time. www.yorkshirepost.co.uk.
  23. Web site: Bantams duo in charge 'until further notice'. www.bbc.co.uk.
  24. Web site: Bradford City promote Trueman and Sellars to interim bosses. Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  25. Web site: Bradford City: Mark Trueman and Conor Sellars will remain in interim charge until further notice. Sky Sports.
  26. Web site: Unplanned 'winter break' won't affect Bantams, says Trueman. Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  27. Web site: Trueman pleased with busy window as Bantams secure Rowe | Bradford Telegraph and Argus . Thetelegraphandargus.co.uk . 21 January 2021.
  28. Web site: Trueman praises Bantams for adapting to month without a game | Bradford Telegraph and Argus . Thetelegraphandargus.co.uk. 21 January 2021.
  29. Web site: Bradford City management duo remain comfortable with interim position. Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  30. Web site: Team 'leaders' can inspire quick response from beaten Bantams, says Trueman. Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  31. Web site: TRUEMAN AND SELLARS IN MANAGER OF MONTH NOMINATION. www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk.
  32. Web site: "It's as if they've been managing a first team for years". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  33. Web site: Bradford City name Trueman and Sellars as permanent joint managers. Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  34. Web site: The joint managers ready to end Bradford's 'toxic' era of struggle. Gregor. Robertson. www.thetimes.co.uk.
  35. Web site: Bradford City management duo nominated for monthly award again. Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  36. Web site: "Our aim was to avoid relegation and we did that really early on. Anything from that was a bonus". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  37. Web site: Bradford City axe Mark Trueman and Conor Sellars after just 78 days as permanent bosses. www.yorkshirepost.co.uk.
  38. Web site: CLUB STATEMENT: MARK TRUEMAN AND CONOR SELLARS. www.bradfordcityafc.com. 10 May 2021.
  39. Web site: Trueman and Sellars SACKED as City look to rebuild. Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  40. Web site: Bradford City future of former managerial duo to be decided "in coming days". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  41. Web site: Trueman signs three-year deal to stay at Bradford City in new link role. Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  42. Web site: Mark Trueman goes from Bradford City's main man to link man with new coaching role. www.yorkshirepost.co.uk.
  43. Web site: Sellars says farewell as he leaves City after seven years. Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  44. Web site: TRUEMAN APPOINTED ASSISTANT MANAGER. www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk.
  45. Web site: Trueman back on show as City make him assistant manager. Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  46. Web site: Adams: Why it was important to make Trueman part of my Bradford City team. Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  47. Web site: "I want to be coached by people like that, who know the game and want to do the right things". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  48. Web site: Adams sacked by Bradford City after eight months in charge. Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  49. Web site: Trueman can heal the Bradford City divide in latest caretaker role. Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  50. Web site: Trueman learns from mistakes as he prepares for second crack at City hot-seat. Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  51. Web site: Cooke backs Trueman to revive the enjoyment factor at City. Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  52. Web site: BANTAMS REACTION: Confidence dips as Trueman second stint starts with poor defeat. Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  53. Web site: Trueman remains at Bradford City helm as Evans watches on. Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  54. Web site: Team news: Foulds back but City face defensive dilemma for Yorkshire derby. Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  55. Web site: True grit needed as suffering Bantams kick off home run. Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  56. Web site: MARK HUGHES UNVEILED AS NEW CITY MANAGER. www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk.
  57. Web site: Bradford City announce Hodges as new assistant manager. Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  58. Web site: Hughes gives his views on Trueman's position at Bradford City. Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  59. Web site: BANTAMS PART COMPANY WITH HUGHES. www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk.
  60. Web site: City manager update: Trueman put in charge for FA Cup. 31 October 2023. Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  61. Web site: 'The dynamic hasn't really changed': Trueman on change of City caretaker boss. 2 November 2023. Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  62. Web site: Trueman confident Bantams will be up for the cup as he eyes short-term boost. 3 November 2023. Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  63. Web site: "If they perform at that level, they will win more games than they lose". 4 November 2023. Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  64. Web site: Former City prospect says criticism of best mate "hurt" ahead of his sacking. Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  65. Web site: Silsden boss and close friend loving Trueman show at City so far. Bradford Telegraph and Argus.

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