As a 17-year-old apprentice at Tranmere Rovers

Holding the Lancashire Senior Cup as a player with Wigan Athletic

Diving the right way: Adkins, playing for Wigan Athletic, saves from John Barnes

Silverware: Celebrating becoming League of Wales Champions with Bangor

Winning habit: The Bangor team after becoming League of Wales champions for the second year in succession

Up we go: Scunthorpe players celebrate beating Leyton Orient 1-0 in the League 2 play-off finals at the old Wembley stadium

We're going up again: Scunthorpe United being promoted from League 2

Winners again: Scunthorpe United after becoming League 1 Champions

The team behind the team - Scunthorpe win promotion to the Championship

Holding the League One play-off trophy after beating Millwall 3-2 at Wembley in May 2009

What a difference seven weeks makes: After losing to Luton in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy final seven weeks earlier, Adkins guides Scunthorpe to League 1 play off victory and a place in the Championship for the 2009/2010 season

Early success: It's the end of Adkins's first season in charge and Southampton are promoted from League 1 to the Championship in 2011 much to the delight of the fans

Cup of cheer: Adkins shows off the League 1 Runners Up Cup to the Southampton fans. Championship football follows the next season

Good communication is an essential part of every manager's job

A brief history in photographs