John Cornforth (footballer)


John Michael Cornforth is a former Wales international football player and is now a coach, most recently head coach at English League Two club Torquay United. Originally from Whitley Bay in the north-east of England, Cornforth and his family have been settled in Devon for some time.
Cornforth is currently assistant manager at Northern Premier side Blyth Spartans.

Playing career

Cornforth usually appeared in midfield during his playing days. He made a total of 322 starts for his various clubs over his career, scoring 36 goals in the process. Whilst at Swansea he was a part of the team that won after a penalty shootout in the 1994 Football League Trophy Final. At one point he commanded a transfer fee of £350,000, in his 1996 transfer from Swansea to Birmingham City. Originally a fan of whoever won the league in that year, his four and a half years and nearly 200 games for Swansea led him to declare himself 'a true Jack'.

International career

Cornforth was eligible to play for the Wales national football team due to his paternal grandmother, who was from Llantrisant. He gained two caps before a cruciate ligament injury hampered any chances of further caps.

Coaching career

Cornforth was player-coach assistant manager and manager of Exeter City.
In July 2004 he joined the coaching team at his local side Crediton United.
In September 2004 he took over from Peter Nicholas as manager of Newport County but was sacked in 2005.
In January 2006 Cornforth took over as caretaker manager at Torquay United from Leroy Rosenior with the side deep in relegation trouble and soon after was appointed as manager until the end of the season. The side's form worsened however, and Ian Atkins replaced Cornforth in April, having joined the club as an advisor to Cornforth the previous month. Against all odds, Atkins managed to rescue the side and lift them a comfortable three points clear from relegation.
In August 2007, Cornforth rejoined his local side Crediton United as an advisor. The following month he was reported to be combining this role with working as a milk tanker driver, while hoping for a return to football management at a higher level.
In November 2010 Cornforth was appointed Manager of South West Peninsula League side Witheridge.
In February 2012 Cornforth joined Blyth Spartans F.C.. as Assistant manager to Tom Wade.