Gainsborough Trinity report impersonation of manager
Non-league club Gainsborough Trinity has reported an unidentified individual for impersonating their manager, Russ Wilcox, with the person allegedly making bizarre offers to players, including contract proposals to non-league footballers, with the club’s chief executive urging them to “get a life”, reports BritPanorama.
The club has escalated the situation to the Northern Premier League and the Football Association (FA). According to FA regulations, managers are prohibited from contacting players directly; all negotiations must occur between clubs.
In a statement released by the club, chief executive Matt Boles condemned the impersonator, stating: “To the person responsible: enough is enough. Stop impersonating our manager, stop wasting the time of players and clubs across the non-league game and, quite frankly, get a life.” The statement noted that the impersonator had posed as Wilcox while making player approaches involving potential transfers and wage offers.
Boles further emphasised that these interactions were not sanctioned by Wilcox or Gainsborough Trinity FC. He stated, “We strongly condemn the actions of the individual responsible. Impersonating a football manager and making false representations to players is completely unacceptable and has the potential to cause unnecessary disruption and reputational damage to players, managers and clubs.”
Gainsborough Trinity thanked other managers and club officials who communicated directly with Wilcox upon recognising the situation. Many identified the impersonation due to their understanding of Wilcox’s professional conduct, noting it was not in line with his usual approach to player recruitment.
Wilcox, who has managed the club since 2023, previously played for Scunthorpe United and had significant stints at Frickley Athletic, Hull City, and Northampton Town, earning recognition in the PFA Team of the Year during the mid-1990s. Under his guidance, Trinity has contested over 130 games to date.
In an era where ambiguities in communication can lead to dire consequences, this incident serves as a reminder of the importance of integrity within the game and the unusual lengths to which some might go in pursuit of personal gain.
