Donnelly, 36, enjoyed a glittering 20-year playing career which took him all the way to the Championship with boyhood club QPR and Swansea City, before taking in promotion winning campaigns with Aldershot Town and Wycombe Wanderers, right.
Now, he is looking to make his mark once again, this time from the manager’s hotseat after being handed his first boss’ job at Southern League new boys Northwood.
But the route in management was no smooth transition for the Hammersmith-born midfielder, who opted to take 18 months out from the game after a brief spell at Hayes & Yeading before starting his coaching career at then-Step 5 side Rayners Lane last season.
Ideology
“When I retired, I felt I just needed to take a backward step and recuperate,” Donnelly, who also enjoyed a glittering Non-League career with the likes of Farnborough and Havant, told The NLP. “Twenty years of playing took its toll.
“So I had a bit of time away from football and didn’t really go to watch any games.
Denne historien er fra June 16, 2024-utgaven av The Non-League Football Paper.
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Denne historien er fra June 16, 2024-utgaven av The Non-League Football Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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I'M READY FOR A NEW PROJECT
LEAGUE One, League Two, National League John Coleman doesn't care. He just wants to manage a club with scope for 'doing an Accrington'.
BEARNE'S DOUBLE IS A PITMEN TRIUMPH
HEDNESFORD Town marched on as this tie was settled in the first 21 minutes with a glut of goals in favour of the Pitmen.
STAG-DO SPOILED BY LIAM DOUBLE
AFC Totton and Basingstoke played out an entertaining draw at The Snows Stadium.
FOALLE'S THERE AT DEATH TO STEA IT!
A GOAL with almost the last kick of the game from Jack Foalle saw Ashton's unbeaten start to the season go up in smoke at Hurst Cross after they had hit the post in each half.
TUDORS STAY TOP THANKS TO AJAYI!
HEMEL HEMPSTEAD TOWN secured a crucial victory over Slough Town that solidifies their position at the top of National League South.
MOLS ON ROLL AS NASH GO SECOND!
CURZON ASHTON moved up to second place after doing a job on former boss Adam Lakeland and his King's Lynn Town side at the Walks.
REAL DEAL HEED KEEP PILING ON THE POINTS
GATESHEAD scored early in each half to strengthen their position at the top of the table after they stretched their unbeaten start to the season to seven games.
JOSH JOY DELIGHTS DAGGERS BOSS BEN
JOSH UMERAH marked his first league start for Dagenham & Redbridge by grabbing the goal that ensured a share of the spoils at Maidenhead.
DOGGED DALE WILL NOT BE MOVED!
ROCHDALE cruised to victory with a superb first-half performance which settled the age-old debate as Dale's immovable defensive object blunted Aldershot's previously irresistible attacking force.
SPITFIRES BACK IN THE GROOVE
EASTLEIGH bounced back from their last-gasp defeat at Gateshead last weekend as they edged past lowly Tamworth in a lackluster affair at the Silverlake.
