Gavin Wilkinson
Gavin Wilkinson (born 5 November 1973) is a former New Zealand footballer and current GM/President of Soccer for the Portland Timbers. Prior to this position, Wilkinson was manager of Portland Timbers in the United Soccer League before their promotion to Major League Soccer beginning with the 2011 season. As a player, he was known as a strong leader and defender.[1]
 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Gavin Brian Wilkinson | ||
| Date of birth | 5 November 1973 | ||
| Place of birth | Auckland, New Zealand | ||
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | ||
| Playing position(s) | Defender | ||
| Club information | |||
Current team | Portland Timbers (Technical Director) | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1992–1996 | Waitakere City | ||
| 1996–1999 | Perth Glory | 68 | (4) |
| 1999–2000 | Instant-Dict | 13 | (2) |
| 2000 | Geylang United | 15 | (2) |
| 2000–2001 | Kilkenny City | 12 | (0) |
| 2001–2006 | Portland Timbers | 124 | (4) |
| National team‡ | |||
| 1996–2002 | New Zealand | 33 | (1) |
| Teams managed | |||
| 2005–2006 | Portland Timbers (USL) (assistant) | ||
| 2007–2010 | Portland Timbers (USL) | ||
| 2012 | Portland Timbers (interim) | ||
|
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 22:47, 29 January 2013 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 22 October 2007 | |||
International career
He played for the New Zealand national football team, the All Whites and collected 33 caps in official FIFA internationals, scoring 1 goal.[2]
Career
Wilkinson played defense for with the USL Portland Timbers from 2001–2006, adding assistant coach duties in 2005 and 2006. Wilkinson retired as an active player and was named Head Coach and General Manager for Portland Timbers in September 2006. During the 2009 season, he directed the Timbers to the Commissioner's Cup as the regular season champion and a league record 24 game unbeaten string (14-0-10), smashing the previous record of 16.
Manager career
Wilkinson also runs EastSide Timbers FC, a youth soccer club based in Gresham, OR.[3]
On 18 January 2010, Wilkinson was named Technical Director of the expansion Portland Timbers club in Major League Soccer (MLS), set to begin play in the 2011 season. He assumed those duties while still coaching the Timbers through the 2010 season.
Gavin not only played for Portland Timbers, but has also played for the New Zealand National Team 40 times in various competitions including World Cup Qualifiers and the Confederations Cup, playing against countries like the United States, Germany & Brazil.
Honours
Player
- Perth Glory
- Most Glorious Player Award (1x): 1996-1997
Managerial stats
| Team | Nat | From | To | Record | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | W | L | D | Win % | ||||
| Portland Timbers |  |
26 September 2006 | 10 October 2010 | 118 | 50 | 29 | 39 | 42.37 |
| Awards | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Inaugural |
Perth Glory Most Glorious Player Award 1996–97 |
Succeeded by Danny Hay |
| Preceded by Mike Anhaeuser |
USL-1 Coach of the Year 2007 |
Succeeded by Colin Clarke |
| Preceded by Colin Clarke |
USL-1 Coach of the Year 2009 |
Succeeded by Bob Lilley |
References
- "A-International Scorers - Overall". The Ultimate New Zealand Soccer Website. Archived from the original on 16 June 2009. Retrieved 25 July 2008.
- "A-International Appearances - Overall". The Ultimate New Zealand Soccer Website. Archived from the original on 1 May 2009. Retrieved 25 July 2008.
- "EastSide United FC - Technical Director". ESUFC. Archived from the original on 6 April 2012. Retrieved 19 December 2010.
