Leigh Ramblers is delighted to confirm the return of Dylan Skinner to the club, this time as part of the first‑team coaching staff. The former Rams goalkeeper, who made over 80 appearances for the club, rejoins as Assistant Manager ahead of the new season.

Before we hear from Skinner, Manager Terry Johnson shared his thoughts on the appointment — and offered his thanks to outgoing Assistant, Mick Coffey.

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Manager Terry Johnson on Mick’s Departure and Skinner’s Arrival

“I’m sad to see Mick step down as my Assistant. We’ve had an enjoyable two and a half seasons together. His help with pre‑season and the fitness side generally has been invaluable, and he’ll still be around this pre‑season to get the lads sharp.

“Mick was great with some of the younger players, giving them encouragement to keep going when game time was hard to come by. I’m sure he’ll still be getting along to as many games as he can.

“As for bringing Dylan in — it was a no‑brainer. He knows the club inside out, he’s played with a lot of the lads, and the couple of seasons he’s had in management have made him appreciate how tough the job can be at times. He can still offer experience as a keeper, which will really help improve Sam Morris’ game.

“He’ll bring new ideas, and a different voice in the changing room will be a real positive. I’m looking forward to getting started with him beside me.”

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Interview with Dylan Skinner

Welcome back, Dylan. What brought you back to Leigh Ramblers at this stage of your career?

Thank you mate, it’s great to be back. Leigh Ramblers has always been a club with a fantastic reputation for developing players and putting people first. At this stage of my career, I wanted to be somewhere I could make a real impact, help young players progress, and be part of a positive football environment.

The ambition of the club, the quality of the people involved, and the opportunity to contribute to its future made it an easy decision. I’m excited to bring my experience, continue learning as a coach, and help the players and the club achieve their goals.

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You enjoyed a hugely successful spell in management with Corinthians alongside Dewbs. How do you reflect on that period?

Being given the opportunity to step into management for the first time with one of your best mates was such a proud moment. Dewbs and I always spoke about doing it one day, and when the chance came, we were determined to grab it with both hands.

We had full trust in each other, set our targets early, and pushed one another every week to be the best we could be for the boys, the club and the fans. A shout out to Luke too — he played a massive part in our management team.

Our success over the two years was a team effort, and every single person played their part. I’m incredibly grateful for that time together.

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How does it feel returning to the Rams in a coaching and leadership role rather than as a player?

I’ve been fortunate to play for some very good teams, managers and coaches. Over the years you develop your own leadership qualities, but you also learn from the support and guidance you’ve had in different environments — good and bad.

Being able to bring that experience back to a great club like Leigh Ramblers gives me a real sense of excitement. I hope I can make a positive impact.

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You made over 80 appearances in goal for the club. Does that history give you a unique perspective when working with the current squad?

Absolutely. Having spent so much time here as a player, I understand what it means to represent Leigh Ramblers and the standards that come with wearing the badge.

I’ve experienced the highs, the challenges, and the commitment required on and off the pitch. That gives me a real appreciation of the club.

While I can share my experiences, my focus is on helping the current squad create their own journey. I’ll support, develop and challenge the players to be the best they can be, building on the strong foundations already in place.

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You played under Terry during your last spell. What are you most looking forward to about working with him again?

I have a great deal of admiration for Terry. He came in during a tough period for the club, with big leaders and great players leaving. What really stood out was the trust he earned from the young players and the club itself.

Since then he’s built a side that competes in the Olympian Premier and even guided them to a cup final. We’ve sat down and had a good chat, and we both believe our knowledge and experience combined will really benefit the team.

We want to keep the good times rolling and push the Rams up the table to where we believe the club deserves to be.

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The big question — is there any chance we’ll see you put the gloves back on if needed?

100%! Without a doubt. As I like to say… there’s still life in the old dog yet. I don’t recover as well as I used to, but I still have full confidence I can do a job in the sticks.

That said, my main focus will be supporting our young goalkeepers. Helping them develop and giving them confidence going into every training session and match is something that often gets overlooked at grassroots level. I’m a firm believer that a confident goalkeeper means a confident team.

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What excites you most about the current group of players?

Having played against the Rams three times last season and watched a few games, what stood out most was their work rate and pure fighting spirit. Players who simply would not stop battling for each other — that’s a trait you can’t teach.

With the right additions, a bit more belief and guidance, I’ve no doubt the future is bright in blue and black.

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Leigh Ramblers has a strong identity and community feel. What does the club mean to you personally?

Leigh Ramblers means a great deal to me. It’s more than just a football club — it’s a community built on commitment, hard work and a passion for developing people.

I’ve built lasting relationships here and have a real connection to the club and its members. Everyone — players, coaches, volunteers, families — plays a part in creating a positive environment. That’s something I’ve always appreciated.

Coming back feels like coming home. It’s an opportunity to give something back to a club that’s played an important role in my football journey and hopefully help the next generation create their own memories and successes.

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Looking back at your playing days, is there a standout moment that still sticks with you?

There are so many great memories. Individually, winning Players’ Player and Rams Player of the Year in the 2018/19 season stands out.

The battles against Catholic over the years were always fierce but fair. And the 2022/23 season was special too — we battled hard all year to finish fifth, just missing out on fourth.

Overall, I’m grateful to have played with some great players and met some incredible people, including the legend himself, Ian Southgate — a man with a big heart and deep passion for Leigh Ramblers.

I’m looking forward to the new season and ready to help create more amazing memories for this great club. ??

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