A CAREER SPANNING GENERATIONS
When you’ve been in the management game for as long as Steve Wilkes has, it goes without saying that you’ll have seen quite a fair number of players take to the field under your stewardship.
Now with well over 1200 matches to his name, this season has seen something remarkable happen for our Preston-born gaffer, and not just once either!
This particular story begins 27 years ago at Darwen when Wilkes took his first steps into management. In their team back then were two players in particular, Mick Lynch and Jimmy Khan.
Mick, pictured bottom row first on the left in the blue tracksuit top, and Jimmy, bottom row second left, are the fathers of David and Izac respectively who’ve been donning the Rammy blue this season.
The Darwen First Team in 1997 with Steve Wilkes back row last on the right.
This gives Wilkes the rather unique accolade of being able to say he’s managed both a father and his son, twice!
“Talk about feeling old!”, said Wilkes.
“Jimmy was one of my first signings at Darwen, along with his brother Denny, when I first started out in management. He was a decent non-league player, very skilful but didn’t really like a cold rainy night in Bacup!
“I’ve known Jimmy for a long time and we’ve kept in touch over the years. He’s done really well for himself in the game, not only representing Pakistan in a World Cup qualifier as a player, he’s also a UEFA A Licence coach, an FA Council member and now sits on the National Game Board and the Disability Committee too!
David’s Dad, Mick, was another that played for Wilkes back in the early days and he remembers the time fondly.
David Lynch pictured when he joined the club last month.
“I can see where Lynchy gets his tackling from as his dad was a no-nonsense centre midfielder who loved a tackle too.
“Although to be honest, I think Mick scored a few more than Dave but I remember him as a child coming down to watch his dad and being on the pitch before the game.
“Like I said earlier, it makes me feel old but also very proud knowing that two of my player’s dads have played for me previously.
“And as if that weren’t enough to showcase the passing of time, the young kid at the front in the black United shirt is my lad Zack who gets married this Saturday!”
Pictured at the top is recent signing Izac, his dad Jimmy and Steve Wilkes, who can’t wait to see more of the younger Khan in a Rammy shirt.
“Really looking forward to working with Izac and from what we’ve seen already, he’s going to be a great signing for the club.”
Chances of managing a third generation Lynch or Khan? We’ll just have to wait and see!
