England Veterans are pleased to announce that John Price has been appointed as Player/Manager of the Over 55’s. He replaces Andy Cranch who has recently been appointed Player/Manager of the Over 60’s.
Andy will remain in charge for the prestigious Over 55’s Four Nations tournament in early September but will fully hand over the reins by the end of October.
John is an experienced centre half whose previous clubs include Brighton, Bridgeport (USA), Bognor, Havant, Newport IOW and Eastbourne Borough.
He first represented England Veterans’ Over 50’s in June 2022 and successfully captained them during a two year unbeaten spell during which they won the Four Nations tournament two years running in June 2023 and June 2024. He started representing the Over 55’s in January 2024.
He has been presented with ‘Age Group’ Caps for both the 50’s and 55’s having played in 5 or more international for both. He has also recently qualified for a Bronze ‘Appearance Cap’ having completed 25 or more international appearances across the two age groups.
John said that he was honoured to be offered the Player/Managers role and he “will bring a hunger for victory and a passion both on and off the field for the 3 Lions”
John has appointed England Veterans’ goalkeeper Darren Steadman as his Assistant.
Darren represented England schoolboys in 1987 and won a Conference winners medal and a FA Trophy runners-up medal playing for Kidderminster Harriers between 1986 and 1998. He also played for Worcester City and played and managed at Bewdley Town FC until he was 52.
He has represented the Over 50’s in three Four Nations tournaments and he too has earned ‘Age Group’ Caps for both the 50’s and 55’s. He is also nearing 25 international appearances across the two age groups.
We wish John and Darren the best of luck in their new roles and thank Andy for his hard work managing the Over 55’s for the last three years.
Photo: In-coming Over 55’s Manager John Price on the right. His Assistant Darren Steadman in the middle and out-going Manager Andy Cranch on the left.