Topzle Topzle

Richie Wellens

Updated: Wikipedia source

Richie Wellens

Richard Paul Wellens (born 26 March 1980) is an English professional football manager and former player who played as a midfielder. He is currently head coach of EFL League One club Leyton Orient. Wellens began his career at Manchester United before signing for Blackpool in 2000, where he went on to win promotion from League Two via the playoffs in 2001. In 2005, he left to join Oldham Athletic, where he made 87 appearances in two seasons at the club, before moving to Doncaster in 2007, becoming an instant fans' favourite by helping get the club promoted to the Championship for the first time in 50 years. After helping the club stay in the division, he moved to Leicester City, and during his time he won the club's Player of the Year in 2011. After a short loan spell with Ipswich Town, Wellens rejoined Doncaster in 2013, where he spent a further three years. Towards the end of his career, he had a short return to Oldham, before playing for Shrewsbury Town, and non-league clubs Salford City and Macclesfield Town, his final club before retiring in 2017. Wellens' first role in management came when he returned to Oldham as first team manager from September 2017 to June 2018, when he was sacked following the club's relegation to League Two. Wellens then took over the vacant managerial position at Swindon Town in the summer of 2018, eventually leading the club to the 2019–20 League Two title on PPG during the COVID-19 pandemic. He left Swindon to manage League Two team Salford City in November 2020, but lasted less than six months in charge before being sacked, having won the rearranged 2019–20 EFL Trophy. In May 2021 Wellens became manager of Doncaster.

Infobox

2012
→ Ipswich Town (loan)
2016
Salford City
2021
Doncaster Rovers
Full name
Richard Paul Wellens
Date of birth
(1980-03-26) 26 March 1980 (age 45)
Place of birth
Manchester, England
Height
5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Position
Midfielder
Current team
Leyton Orient (head coach)
1997–1999
Manchester United
Years
Team
1999–2000
Manchester United
2000–2005
Blackpool
2005–2007
Oldham Athletic
2007–2009
Doncaster Rovers
2009–2013
Leicester City
2013–2016
Doncaster Rovers
2015–2016
→ Oldham Athletic (loan)
2016–2017
Macclesfield Town
2017–2018
Oldham Athletic
2018–2020
Swindon Town
2020–2021
Salford City
2022–
Leyton Orient

Tables

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[68] · Career statistics
Division
Division
Club
Division
Season
Apps
League
Goals
League
Apps
League
Goals
FA Cup
Apps
FA Cup
Goals
League Cup
Apps
League Cup
Goals
Other
Apps
Other
Goals
Manchester United
Manchester United
Club
Manchester United
Season
1999–2000
League
Premier League
League
0
League
0
FA Cup
FA Cup
1
League Cup
0
League Cup
0
Other
0
Other
1
Total
0
Blackpool
Blackpool
Club
Blackpool
Season
1999–2000
League
Second Division
League
8
League
0
FA Cup
0
FA Cup
0
League Cup
0
League Cup
0
Other
0
Other
0
Total
8
Total
0
2000–01
2000–01
Club
2000–01
Season
Third Division
League
39
League
8
League
1
FA Cup
0
FA Cup
3
League Cup
0
League Cup
1
Other
0
Other
44
Total
8
2001–02
2001–02
Club
2001–02
Season
Second Division
League
36
League
1
League
2
FA Cup
0
FA Cup
2
League Cup
0
League Cup
5
Other
1
Other
45
Total
2
2002–03
2002–03
Club
2002–03
Season
Second Division
League
39
League
1
League
3
FA Cup
0
FA Cup
1
League Cup
0
League Cup
2
Other
0
Other
45
Total
1
2003–04
2003–04
Club
2003–04
Season
Second Division
League
41
League
3
League
2
FA Cup
0
FA Cup
3
League Cup
0
League Cup
4
Other
0
Other
50
Total
3
2004–05
2004–05
Club
2004–05
Season
League One
League
28
League
3
League
4
FA Cup
2
FA Cup
0
League Cup
0
League Cup
2
Other
0
Other
34
Total
5
Total
Total
Club
Total
Season
191
League
16
League
12
League
2
FA Cup
9
FA Cup
0
League Cup
14
League Cup
1
Other
226
Other
19
Oldham Athletic
Oldham Athletic
Club
Oldham Athletic
Season
2005–06
League
League One
League
45
League
4
FA Cup
4
FA Cup
0
League Cup
1
League Cup
0
Other
1
Other
0
Total
51
Total
4
2006–07
2006–07
Club
2006–07
Season
League One
League
42
League
4
League
4
FA Cup
0
FA Cup
1
League Cup
0
League Cup
3
Other
0
Other
50
Total
4
Total
Total
Club
Total
Season
87
League
8
League
8
League
0
FA Cup
2
FA Cup
0
League Cup
4
League Cup
0
Other
101
Other
8
Doncaster Rovers
Doncaster Rovers
Club
Doncaster Rovers
Season
2007–08
League
League One
League
45
League
6
FA Cup
2
FA Cup
0
League Cup
2
League Cup
1
Other
4
Other
0
Total
53
Total
7
2008–09
2008–09
Club
2008–09
Season
Championship
League
39
League
3
League
4
FA Cup
0
FA Cup
1
League Cup
0
League Cup
Other
44
Other
3
Total
Total
Club
Total
Season
84
League
9
League
6
League
0
FA Cup
3
FA Cup
1
League Cup
4
League Cup
0
Other
97
Other
10
Leicester City
Leicester City
Club
Leicester City
Season
2009–10
League
Championship
League
41
League
1
FA Cup
2
FA Cup
0
League Cup
1
League Cup
0
Other
2
Other
0
Total
46
Total
1
2010–11
2010–11
Club
2010–11
Season
Championship
League
45
League
2
League
2
FA Cup
0
FA Cup
4
League Cup
2
League Cup
Other
51
Other
4
2011–12
2011–12
Club
2011–12
Season
Championship
League
41
League
1
League
5
FA Cup
0
FA Cup
0
League Cup
0
League Cup
Other
46
Other
1
2012–13
2012–13
Club
2012–13
Season
Championship
League
2
League
0
League
2
FA Cup
0
FA Cup
0
League Cup
0
League Cup
0
Other
0
Other
4
Total
0
Total
Total
Club
Total
Season
129
League
4
League
11
League
0
FA Cup
5
FA Cup
2
League Cup
2
League Cup
0
Other
147
Other
6
Ipswich Town (loan)
Ipswich Town (loan)
Club
Ipswich Town (loan)
Season
2012–13
League
Championship
League
7
League
0
FA Cup
0
FA Cup
0
League Cup
0
League Cup
0
Other
Other
7
Total
0
Doncaster Rovers
Doncaster Rovers
Club
Doncaster Rovers
Season
2013–14
League
Championship
League
37
League
0
FA Cup
0
FA Cup
0
League Cup
2
League Cup
0
Other
Other
39
Total
0
2014–15
2014–15
Club
2014–15
Season
League One
League
39
League
3
League
4
FA Cup
1
FA Cup
2
League Cup
0
League Cup
2
Other
1
Other
47
Total
5
2015–16
2015–16
Club
2015–16
Season
League One
League
12
League
0
League
1
FA Cup
0
FA Cup
2
League Cup
0
League Cup
1
Other
0
Other
16
Total
0
Total
Total
Club
Total
Season
88
League
3
League
5
League
1
FA Cup
6
FA Cup
0
League Cup
3
League Cup
1
Other
102
Other
5
Oldham Athletic
Oldham Athletic
Club
Oldham Athletic
Season
2015–16
League
League One
League
3
League
0
FA Cup
0
FA Cup
0
League Cup
0
League Cup
0
Other
0
Other
0
Total
3
Total
0
Shrewsbury Town
Shrewsbury Town
Club
Shrewsbury Town
Season
2015–16
League
League One
League
12
League
0
FA Cup
0
FA Cup
0
League Cup
0
League Cup
0
Other
0
Other
0
Total
12
Total
0
Career total
Career total
Club
Career total
Season
601
League
40
League
42
League
3
FA Cup
26
FA Cup
3
League Cup
29
League Cup
2
Other
698
Other
48
Club
Season
League
FA Cup
League Cup
Other
Total
Division
Apps
Goals
Apps
Goals
Apps
Goals
Apps
Goals
Apps
Goals
Manchester United
1999–2000
Premier League
0
0
1
0
0
0
1
0
Blackpool
1999–2000
Second Division
8
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
8
0
2000–01
Third Division
39
8
1
0
3
0
1
0
44
8
2001–02
Second Division
36
1
2
0
2
0
5
1
45
2
2002–03
Second Division
39
1
3
0
1
0
2
0
45
1
2003–04
Second Division
41
3
2
0
3
0
4
0
50
3
2004–05
League One
28
3
4
2
0
0
2
0
34
5
Total
191
16
12
2
9
0
14
1
226
19
Oldham Athletic
2005–06
League One
45
4
4
0
1
0
1
0
51
4
2006–07
League One
42
4
4
0
1
0
3
0
50
4
Total
87
8
8
0
2
0
4
0
101
8
Doncaster Rovers
2007–08
League One
45
6
2
0
2
1
4
0
53
7
2008–09
Championship
39
3
4
0
1
0
44
3
Total
84
9
6
0
3
1
4
0
97
10
Leicester City
2009–10
Championship
41
1
2
0
1
0
2
0
46
1
2010–11
Championship
45
2
2
0
4
2
51
4
2011–12
Championship
41
1
5
0
0
0
46
1
2012–13
Championship
2
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
4
0
Total
129
4
11
0
5
2
2
0
147
6
Ipswich Town (loan)
2012–13
Championship
7
0
0
0
0
0
7
0
Doncaster Rovers
2013–14
Championship
37
0
0
0
2
0
39
0
2014–15
League One
39
3
4
1
2
0
2
1
47
5
2015–16
League One
12
0
1
0
2
0
1
0
16
0
Total
88
3
5
1
6
0
3
1
102
5
Oldham Athletic
2015–16
League One
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
0
Shrewsbury Town
2015–16
League One
12
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
12
0
Career total
601
40
42
3
26
3
29
2
698
48
Managerial record by team and tenure · Managerial statistics
P
P
Team
P
From
W
To
D
Record
L
Record
Win %
Oldham Athletic
Oldham Athletic
Team
Oldham Athletic
From
25 September 2017
To
8 June 2018
Record
43
Record
14
Record
16
Record
13
Record
032.56
Swindon Town
Swindon Town
Team
Swindon Town
From
13 November 2018
To
4 November 2020
Record
83
Record
35
Record
17
Record
31
Record
042.17
Salford City
Salford City
Team
Salford City
From
4 November 2020
To
22 March 2021
Record
30
Record
11
Record
10
Record
9
Record
036.67
Doncaster Rovers
Doncaster Rovers
Team
Doncaster Rovers
From
17 May 2021
To
2 December 2021
Record
26
Record
6
Record
5
Record
15
Record
023.08
Leyton Orient
Leyton Orient
Team
Leyton Orient
From
9 March 2022
To
present
Record
203
Record
93
Record
42
Record
68
Record
045.81
Total
Total
Team
Total
From
385
To
159
Record
90
Record
136
Record
041.30
Team
From
To
Record
Ref.
P
W
D
L
Win %
Oldham Athletic
25 September 2017
8 June 2018
43
14
16
13
032.56
Swindon Town
13 November 2018
4 November 2020
83
35
17
31
042.17
Salford City
4 November 2020
22 March 2021
30
11
10
9
036.67
Doncaster Rovers
17 May 2021
2 December 2021
26
6
5
15
023.08
Leyton Orient
9 March 2022
present
203
93
42
68
045.81
Total
385
159
90
136
041.30

References

  1. Appearances in the Football League Trophy
  2. One appearance in the Football League Trophy; two appearances in League One play-offs
  3. Two appearances in the Football League Trophy, two appearances in League One play-offs
  4. Appearances in Championship play-offs
  5. Barry Hugman's Footballers
    https://web.archive.org/web/20240608000000/http://barryhugmansfootballers.com/player/20763
  6. OldhamAthletic.co.uk
    https://web.archive.org/web/20050615233118/http://www.oldhamathletic.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Squad/Profiles/0,,10337~10056,00.html
  7. The Independent
    https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/villa-make-merry-with-uniteds-fledglings-742289.html
  8. Manchester United Official Yearbook 2000: The Definitive Guide to the 1999–2000 Season
    https://archive.org/details/manchesterunited0000unse
  9. BlackpoolFC.co.uk
    https://web.archive.org/web/20010411040109/http://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/wellens.htm
  10. "Seasiders relish return to scene of past success"
    https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/seasiders-relish-return-to-scene-of-past-success-9148104.html
  11. "Blackpool 2–0 Southend"
    https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/3517244.stm
  12. Manchester Evening News
    https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/latics-snap-up-wellens-1072815
  13. Blackpool FC On This Day: History, Facts and Figures from Every Day of the Year
  14. BBC Sport
    https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/d/doncaster/6271052.stm
  15. Look Sports Media
    https://deck.football/exclusive-richie-wellens-makes-shocking-admission-regarding-oldham-athletic-exit/
  16. BBC Sport
    https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/l/leicester_city/8138636.stm
  17. BBC Sport
    https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/8154723.stm
  18. BBC Sport
    https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/8187734.stm
  19. BBC Sport
    https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/8646480.stm
  20. BBC Sport
    https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/8672579.stm
  21. "Wellens Wins Monthly Award"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20110923223003/http://www.lcfc.com/page/LatestNews/0%2C%2C10274~2290035%2C00.html
  22. BBC Sport
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/13277857
  23. BBC Sport
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/17860492
  24. BBC Sport
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19785790
  25. BBC Sport
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20295390
  26. BBC Sport
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/23425990
  27. BBC Sport
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/23549878
  28. BBC Sport
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/23937757
  29. BBC Sport
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28444115
  30. BBC Sport
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/29014836
  31. Look Sports Media
    https://thedeck.news/exclusive-richie-wellens-addresses-doncaster-rovers-budget-and-transfers-in-upcoming-interview/
  32. BBC Sport
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35255199
  33. Shropshire Star
    https://www.shropshirestar.com/sport/football/shrewsbury-town-fc/2016/05/27/shrewsbury-town-offer-richie-wellens-on-free-transfer/
  34. Sky Sports
    https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11719/10549864/midfielder-richie-wellens-has-left-shrewsbury-town-by-mutual-consent
  35. "Salford Snap Up Experienced Wellens"
    https://nonleague.pitchero.com/uncategorized/salford-snap-up-experienced-wellens-49504/
  36. pitchero.com
    https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/salfordcityfc/news/two-in-three-out-1714348.html
  37. BBC Sport
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38157038
  38. Oldham Chronicle
    https://www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk/news-features/10/oldham-athletic-news/104308/coaching-role-for-wellens-at-latics
  39. Manchester Evening News
    https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/oldham-athletic-news-wellens-sheridan-13680768
  40. The Set Pieces
    https://thesetpieces.com/interviews/interview-oldham-caretaker-richie-wellens/
  41. BBC Sport
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41636517
  42. BBC Sport
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42851798
  43. Manchester Evening News
    https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/oldham-athletic-richie-wellens-latics-14835937
  44. The Coaches' Voice
    https://www.coachesvoice.com/best-laid-plans-oldham-wellens/
  45. BBC Sport
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46182174
  46. BBC Sport
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46160771
  47. BBC Sport
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46244278
  48. BBC Sport
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46270888
  49. BBC Sport
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48074982
  50. Salford Now
    http://www.salfordnow.co.uk/2020/11/04/richie-wellens-appointed-salford-city-manager/
  51. The Football League Paper
    https://www.theleaguepaper.com/featured/11476/salford-city-appoint-richie-wellens-as-new-manager/
  52. BBC Sport
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54840096
  53. BBC Sport
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54835447
  54. Sky Sports
    https://www.skysports.com/football/bolton-vs-salford-city/430389
  55. BBC Sport
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54941090
  56. BBC Sport
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56320947
  57. "Richie Wellens: Doncaster Rovers appoint former Salford City boss as new manager"
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57142564
  58. doncasterroversfc.co.uk
    https://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/news/2021/december/rovers-part-company-with-richie-wellens/
  59. leytonorient.com
    https://www.leytonorient.com/2022/03/09/richie-wellens-appointed-as-head-coach/
  60. leytonorient.com
    https://www.leytonorient.com/news/2022/september/12/richie-wellens-wins-skybet-league-two-manager-of-the-month/
  61. leytonorient.com
    https://www.leytonorient.com/news/2022/october/07/wellens-scoops-managerial-award-for-september/
  62. BBC Sport
    https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65236266
  63. www.leytonorient.com
    https://www.leytonorient.com/news/2024/february/09/richie-wellens-wins-january-sky-bet-league-one-manager-of-the-month/
  64. BBC Sport
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cp4gn50l80yo
  65. www.efl.com
    https://www.efl.com/news/2025/january/10/sky-bet-league-one--manager-and-player-of-the-month-december-winners/
  66. www.efl.com
    https://www.efl.com/news/2025/february/07/sky-bet-league-one-manager---player-of-the-month-january-winners/
  67. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/football/football-league-blog/2019/sep/11/richie-wellens-swindon-town-sir-alex-ferguson
  68. Football League World
    https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/the-importance-of-swindon-town-recruit-to-richie-wellens-opinion/
  69. Sky Sports
    https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/11902490/richie-wellens-interview-on-taking-swindon-top-by-playing-football
  70. This Is Wiltshire
    https://www.thisiswiltshire.co.uk/news/headlines/17942156.richie-wellens-underlines-importance-hard-work-swindon-town-squad-number-sub-standard-gps-tracker-results-filed/
  71. www.leytonorient.com
    https://www.leytonorient.com/news/2025/august/12/charlie-wellens-signs-short-term-contract-with-the-o-s
  72. Soccerbase
    https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=18124&season_id=145
  73. "Richie Wellens: Oldham Athletic sack manager after relegation from League One"
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42851798
  74. Soccerbase
    https://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?manager_id=4589
  75. BBC Sport
    https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_3/1352122.stm
  76. BBC Sport
    https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/1885124.stm
  77. BBC Sport
    https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/3517244.stm
  78. Of Fossils and Foxes
  79. BBC Sport
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52705124
  80. Sky Sports
    https://www.skysports.com/football/leyton-orient-vs-crewe-alexandra/report/468899
  81. Sky Sports
    https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12864637/burnley-boss-vincent-kompany-and-middlesbroughs-chuba-akpom-lead-championship-winners-at-2023-efl-awards
  82. "Sky Bet League Two: Manager and Player of the Month winners"
    https://www.efl.com/news/2019/december/sky-bet-league-one-manager-and-player-of-the-month-winners2/
Image
Source:
Tip: Wheel or +/− to zoom, drag to pan, Esc to close.