Michael Nelson

Michael John Nelson (born 23 March 1980) is a former professional footballer who played as a defender. He is currently the manager of Chester-le-Street United. Nelson started his career at semi-professional level, playing for Spennymoor United, Leek Town and Bishop Auckland. His performances earned him a move to Bury in 2001. After winning the Bury Player of the Year award in 2002–03, Nelson moved to third tier Hartlepool United. In his first two seasons with the club, Hartlepool would reach the play-offs in both seasons, before being relegated in 2005–06. However, Hartlepool secured an immediate return to League One as runners-up with Nelson earning a place in the PFA Team of the Year for his performances. In 2009, he would earn a move to Norwich City where he would spend the next two seasons. He subsequently joined Championship club Scunthorpe United. Nelson had two spells in Scotland with Kilmarnock and Hibernian in between a brief spell with Bradford City. In 2014, he signed for League Two club Cambridge United, where he would spend one season. He signed for League Two Barnet where he would play for three seasons. He dropped into non-League football in 2018. He had spells with Chesterfield, Gateshead and Blyth Spartans before retiring in 2020 having made over 700 career appearances. Club career Early career Born in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, Nelson started his playing career as a semi-professional, playing for non-League teams such as Spennymoor United, Leek Town and Bishop Auckland. Nelson's performances attracted the attention of League clubs who sent scouts to watch him. Nelson was given a trial at Hartlepool but he was not offered a contract by the then Hartlepool manager Chris Turner. However Nelson was offered a contract at Bury by manager Andy Preece after Bury scout Peter Ward convinced him to give Nelson a chance.