James "Jim" Worrall (born 29 July 1970) is an English former professional footballer who played as a midfielder and is now a football manager. He is known for his extensive career in the Football League and non-League football, both as a player and subsequently as a manager of various clubs, primarily in the North West of England.
Early Life and Playing Career
Born in Cheadle, Greater Manchester, Worrall began his career in the youth system at Manchester United before joining Macclesfield Town in 1989. His senior playing career spanned over two decades, primarily in the lower divisions of English football.
Key Playing Clubs:
- Macclesfield Town (1989–1992): Made his mark in non-League football before moving into the Football League.
- Shrewsbury Town (1992–1994): Became a regular in the Third Division, winning the Division Three title in 1993–94.
- Chester City (1994–1997): Played a significant role, making over 100 league appearances.
- Port Vale (1997–1999): Experienced Championship (then Division One) football, though his time was affected by injuries.
- Notts County (1999–2000): Returned to League Two (then Division Three).
- Wrexham (2000–2001): Played briefly in League One (then Division Two).
- Halifax Town (2001–2002): Concluded his Football League career.
After leaving the Football League, Worrall continued to play at a high level in non-League football for clubs such as Leigh RMI, Northwich Victoria, Hyde United, and Droylsden, often taking on player-coach roles as he transitioned towards management.
Managerial Career
Worrall's managerial career began in non-League football, where he has managed a number of clubs with varying degrees of success, often working with limited budgets.
Key Managerial Roles:
- Chorley (2007–2009): His first full managerial role, where he guided the club in the Northern Premier League.
- Northwich Victoria (2009–2010): Had a brief spell in charge of his former club.
- Macclesfield Town (2010–2011, caretaker): Stepped in as caretaker manager for a short period.
- AFC Fylde (2012–2014): Achieved promotion from the Northern Premier League Division One North to the Premier Division in 2011–12, and later led them to the NPL play-offs.
- Southport (2014–2015): Managed in the National League (then Conference Premier).
- FC United of Manchester (2018–2020): Managed the fan-owned club in the National League North, facing financial challenges.
- Runcorn Linnets (2020–2022): Took charge of the club in the Northern Premier League Division One West, leading them to the play-offs.
Worrall is known for his pragmatic approach and ability to identify and develop talent, particularly within the non-League structure. He often works with clubs aiming to climb the football pyramid.