The Turner Prize shortlist: Why Hereford's boss is a better draw than Manchester United's

Hereford manager Graham Turner has deservedly been awarded the League Two Manager of the Season award, by the League Managers Association, after leading his club to promotion.

I use the phrase 'his club' advisedly because Turner is the majority shareholder, chairman, director of football and manager of Hereford United. It is difficult to think of another example of where one man has achieved so much with a football club.

This season was 60-year-old Turner’s 30th as a football manager and he has fittingly taken Hereford to their highest league position in 30 years. As a player he had a distinguished, if unspectacular career as a central defender with Wrexham, Chester and Shrewsbury. He was a well regarded player who made 650 league appearances. His leadership qualities were recognised by Shrewsbury who made him their player/manager.

Turner had six relatively successful seasons in charge at Shrewsbury before being given the manager's role at Aston Villa. That was less successful and he was sacked after two years. He took over at the then fourth division Wolverhampton Wanderers and transformed them into a mid-table Championship outfit in his eight years at the club.