David Robert Merrington (born 26 January 1945) is an English former professional footballer who later worked as a commentator for BBC Radio Solent.

Playing career

Merrington played for Burnley, appearing in 98 league games (1 goal), including a spell as

captain Captain is a title, an appellative for the commanding officer of a military unit; the supreme leader of a navy ship, merchant ship, aeroplane, spacecraft, or other vessel; or the commander of a port, fire or police department, election precinct, e ...

. He later played for Bristol City before retiring and going into coaching.

Coaching career

Merrington was a brief caretaker manager for

Sunderland Sunderland () is a port city in Tyne and Wear, England. It is the City of Sunderland's administrative centre and in the Historic counties of England, historic county of County of Durham, Durham. The city is from Newcastle-upon-Tyne and is on t ...

following the departure of Jimmy Adamson in 1978, and in 1980 he again took over from Adamson as caretaker manager (for 1 game only) at Leeds United. He became youth coach at Southampton in 1983, before taking over as manager for the 1995–96 season. He was Premiership Manager of the Month in April 1996, his only full season in management. Despite securing Southampton's top flight status on goal difference, he was dismissed on 14 June 1996 and succeeded by

Graeme Souness Graeme James Souness (; born 6 May 1953) is a Scottish former professional football player and manager, and current TV pundit. A midfielder, Souness was the captain of the successful Liverpool team of the early 1980s, player-manager of Ranger ...

. During the final weeks of the 1995–96 season, he guided Southampton to two crucial wins which played a big part in their survival - they first beat

Manchester United Manchester () is a city in Greater Manchester, England. It had a population of 552,000 in 2021. It is bordered by the Cheshire Plain to the south, the Pennines to the north and east, and the neighbouring city of City of Salford, Salford to ...

(champions that season) 3–1 at The Dell, and then won their penultimate game 1–0 at

Bolton Wanderers Bolton Wanderers Football Club () is a professional football club based in Horwich, Bolton, Greater Manchester, England, which competes in . The club played at Burnden Park for 102 years from 1895 after moving from their original home at Pike's ...

, a result which confirmed the other side's relegation. A year later he returned to the club as a coach under next manager

Dave Jones David, Dafydd, Dai, Dave, Davy, or Di Jones may refer to: People Arts and entertainment Music * David Jones (jazz musician) (1888–1956), American jazz saxophonist * Davy Jones (musician) (1945–2012), English musician and member of The Monkees ...

but left again three years later after Jones was succeeded by Glenn Hoddle. His next stop was a brief spell working as Walsall's first-team coach alongside manager

Colin Lee Colin Lee (born 12 June 1956) is an English football manager and former footballer. He is currently head of football at South Dartmoor Community College in Ashburton, Devon along with Chris Beard. Playing career Lee began his football career ...

in 2002.

Media career

Merrington worked for BBC Radio Solent, commentating on Southampton matches. Merrington retired from commentary at the end of the 2021–22 season.

Honours

Manager

Individual * Premier League Manager of the Month: April 1996

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Merrington, David Living people 1945 births English footballers Footballers from Newcastle upon Tyne Association football central defenders English Football League players Burnley F.C. players Bristol City F.C. players English football managers Premier League managers Sunderland A.F.C. managers Southampton F.C. managers Walsall F.C. non-playing staff English Football League managers Burnley F.C. non-playing staff Leeds United F.C. managers