Michael Nelson

Bishop Auckland

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. He was at Portsmouth for two-and-a-half years but then manager Alan Ball released him because of financial restrictions. During his time at Bishop Auckland, Nelson became a first team regular, making forty–eight appearances and scoring two times in all competitions. Nelson's performances attracted the attention of League clubs who sent scouts to watch him. Nelson was given a trial at Hartlepool United but he was not offered a contract by manager Chris Turner.

Bury

However Nelson was offered a contract at Bury by manager Andy Preece after Bury scout Peter Ward convinced him to give Nelson a chance. Immediately after joining the club, he was called up to the first team. On 27 April 2001, Nelson quickly made an impact on his Bury debut when he "struck a sweet half volley into the top corner", in a 1–1 draw against Wycombe Wanderers. Nelson made his second appearance for the club in the last game of the season, in a 3–1 loss against Brentford. Ahead of the 2001–02 season, manager Andy Preece offered Nelson a new contract. On 2 August 2001, he signed a two–year contract with the club. On 18 August 2001, Nelson scored his first goal of the season, in a 2–1 loss against Queens Park Rangers. Teammate Steve Redmond praised his performance, describing him as "an old fashioned…

Early coaching career

Nelson was appointed assistant manager of Stevenage on 17 January 2020, once again assisting Graham Westley whom he had worked alongside as player-coach at Barnet. Nelson left the club a month later after Alex Revell was appointed manager.

Blyth Spartans

Nelson returned to playing when he joined Blyth Spartans on 26 February 2020 until the end of the season. A week later on 4 March 2020, he was then made player-manager after the departure of Lee Clark. Three days later on 7 March 2020, Nelson's first game in charge came against Brackley Town, as the club loss 5–2. However, the 2019–20 season was ended early because of the COVID-19 pandemic. On 1 May 2020, he was appointed as a permanent manager at Blyth Spartans. Upon doing so, Nelson retired from professional football. Ahead of the 2020–21 season, Nelson made new signings, with a help from the "Impact of the Future Fund" and "the 1899 Club" support groups and praised the groups for their role in helping him bring in new players. However, Blyth Spartans struggled in the league, winning only once in fourteen league matches before the season was ended early because of the COVID-19 pandemic for the second time. During the 2020–21 season, he once came out of retirement as a replacement for the suspended Matthew Elsdon and played in the FA Cup match against Marske United, as the club loss 1–0. Following Blyth Spartans' injury crisis, Nelson made his first league appearance for the club,…

Nelson and his wife Dawn have two children. He revealed he has a tattoo on his arm of his first son, who was stillborn in 2002.

Hartlepool United

Football League Two second-place promotion: 2006–07 Norwich City

Football League One: 2009–10 Kilmarnock

Scottish League Cup: 2011–12 Bradford City

Football League Two play-offs: 2013 Individual

Bury Player of the Season: 2002–03 PFA Team of the Year: 2006–07 League Two