Robert Don-Duncan (b1949)
Born in 1949 at Wigan, Robert Don-Duncan but was more commonly known without the double-barrelled surname during his time as manager of Grantham Town FC .
He began his footballing career at the helm of Queen’s University in Northern Ireland, before returning to England and playing for Loughborough Universities, Boston United and Holbeach United.
While at the latter, Bob became Player/Manager and then moved on to the helm of Boston FC.
He came to Grantham as Player/Manager at the start of the 1983/84 season, although he made only infrequent appearances himself, the first of which was the FA Trophy tie and replay against Leicester United.
The season finished with Grantham in fourth position in the Northern Premier League, a place in the non-league pyramid that has not been bettered since.
The following season though, saw an almost complete reversal of fortunes as wage restrictions led to the club’s eventual relegation.
As Grantham returned to the Southern League, wages were still a problem and Bob was forced to play in defence for many of the early games, although the October draw against Bridgnorth Town was his last for the club.
Soon after this Bob was relieved of his duties, to be replaced by Barry Shaw and he went on to assist at Skegness Town, before taking over at Spalding United where he guided them to the United Counties Championship.
Bob returned to Grantham as manager after the departure of John Robertson in March 1992 and the following season he took The Gingerbreads to third place in the league, before a financial crisis in the New Year led to Bob and many of the players leaving the club.
He returned once more to Boston FC – now re-named Boston Town , the town where he was sports master at the local High School.
He guided them to the FA Vase semifinal in 1993 but left the club in 2010
A UEFA A-Licenced coach, Bob he became Director of Football at Spalding Utd.
Compiled with the assistance of Jon Barnes
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