Paul Groves (footballer)

Paul Groves (footballer)

Paul Groves (born 28 February 1966) is an English former professional footballer and manager who is Youth team manager of Football League One side Bournemouth.

He notably captained and managed Grimsby Town. He was naturally a central midfield player, but later in his career was used as a central defender. He also played in the Football League for Leicester City, Lincoln City, Blackpool, West Bromwich Albion and Scunthorpe United having also played at non-league level for Belper Town, Burton Albion, York City and Stafford Rangers. His playing career lasted from 1986 until 2006 however he was player/manager at Grimsby Town from 2001 until 2004, he eventually retired in 2006 whilst he was player/assistant manager at Stafford Rangers. He was the senior coach at West Ham United following Avram Grant to the club from Portsmouth. However, he parted company with the club on 24 June 2011, following the arrival of Sam Allardyce and became the youth team manager of A.F.C. Bournemouth in July 2011. On 25 March 2012 he became joint-caretaker manager of Bournemouth and was subsequently appointed full time manager of Bournemouth on 11 May 2012 before he was sacked in October of that year.