Michael Flynn

Michael John Samuel Flynn (born 17 October 1980) is a Welsh professional football manager and former player who played as a midfielder.

He was most recently the manager of Swindon Town.

Flynn began his career with Newport County, becoming a professional with Barry Town before his break out with Championship side Gillingham.

He appeared 91 times for Bradford City.

He returned to Newport County and played while obtaining his UEFA Pro License.

Born in Newport, Wales, Flynn started his career playing for Newport County in 1999.

A move to League of Wales club Barry Town beckoned in 2000.

After forty goals in two seasons, including a goal in a 3–1 win over F.C. Porto in the second qualifying round of the Champions League, he moved to Wigan Athletic in the 2002–03 season.

Flynn spent a lot of his time on the substitutes' bench as Wigan won the Division Two title.

He made seventeen appearances in the league, fourteen of which came from the bench, and scored one goal.

The next season did not start any better for Flynn as he started just one game and made seven appearances from the bench before he was loaned to then League One side Blackpool, where he started six times in the league and once in the FA Cup before returning to Wigan.

In the January transfer window of that season, Flynn joined Championship strugglers Gillingham on a free transfer.

Despite his instant success, and his three goals in sixteen starts, Gillingham were relegated to League One on the last day of the season.

Although injury affected his 2005–06 season, Flynn scored six goals.

He took over as captain for the 2006–07 season and became top scorer with twelve goals.

It was announced on 8 May 2007 that Flynn had been offered a new contract with Gillingham.

He chose not to sign, and left the club when his contract expired at the end of June 2007.

On 5 July 2007, Flynn signed a one-year contract with Blackpool, with an option for a further year.

On 3 December 2007, Flynn scored his first goal for Blackpool in the club's 1–1 away draw against Scunthorpe United.

On 7 May 2008 he was released by Blackpool.

On 23 July 2008, he became Stan Ternent's fifth signing at League One side Huddersfield Town.

He, along with five other players, made his Town debut in the 1–1 draw against Stockport County at the Galpharm Stadium on 9 August 2008.

On 27 August he scored his first goal for Huddersfield in the second round of the League Cup against Sheffield United.

Town went on to lose the game 2–1.

His first league goals for Town came in the 3–2 win over Northampton Town at the Galpharm Stadium on 20 September 2008.

Following a short spell on the sidelines following a hamstring injury, he joined Darlington on loan on 27 November 2008.

He made his debut in the 1–0 defeat to Morecambe at Christie Park on 13 December.

He returned to Huddersfield on 29 December.

On 4 August 2009, Flynn joined local rivals Bradford City on a free transfer.

He made his debut four days later in the 5–0 defeat by Notts County at Meadow Lane and scored his first goal of the 2011–12 season in a 3–2 loss to Leeds United.

On 28 April 2012 it was announced that he would leave Bradford as his contract was ended by mutual consent along with teammates Chris Mitchell and Craig Fagan.

On 25 July 2012 he re-signed for home-town club Newport County.

In the 2012–13 season he was part of the Newport team that finished 3rd in the league, reaching the Conference National playoffs.

Newport County won the playoff final versus Wrexham at Wembley Stadium 2–0 to return to the Football League after a 25-year absence with promotion to Football League Two.

Flynn became caretaker manager of Newport County in 2017 amid a relegation battle.

After 2017's 'Great Escape', Newport County won FA Cup fixtures against Leeds United, Leicester City and Middlesbrough.

In the 2018–19 season Flynn led Newport to the 2019 EFL League Two play-off final against Tranmere Rovers.

In cup competitions Newport also played Premier League teams in 2018 Tottenham Hotspur, in 2019 Manchester City and West Ham United.

In the 2020–21 EFL Cup Newport beat Championship clubs Swansea City and Watford before losing on penalties to premier league club Newcastle United.

In the same season Newport lost to Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion on penalties in the FA Cup and again reached the League Two play-off final, losing to Morecambe 1–0.