John Impey

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John E. Impey (born August 11, 1954 in Exeter) is an English former professional footballer and football manager. He represented England at Schools and Youth level.

John Impey joined Cardiff City as a 14 year-old after being spotted playing at Barnstaple for Exeter Schools against North Devon Schools. He turned professional with Cardiff in August 1972, moving on to Bournemouth in July 1975 where he established himself as a central defender. He spent the summer of 1979 on loan with the Seattle Sounders in the United States. On his return to Dean Court, he made a further 284 league appearances for the Bournemouth before leaving to join Torquay United in August 1983.

He moved to Exeter City in July 1985 for a season but returned to Torquay in July 1986 and was appointed as captain by new manager Cyril Knowles a year later, as Torquay put their run of poor seasons behind them and almost made the play-offs. He retired after one season as captain, but remained at Plainmoor as youth coach under first Knowles and then Dave Smith, and also playing local league football.

Smith was sacked on 2 April 1991 after Torquay's promotion push appeared to be falling apart and Impey was appointed manager, the first to be appointed by chairman Mike Bateson, guiding them to the play-offs by finishing in 7th place in Fourth Division. They beat Burnley in the play-off semi-final and on May 31, 1991 Impey led his side out at Wembley for the final against another Lancashire side, Blackpool. Goals from Dean Edwards and Wes Saunders gave the Gulls a 2-2 draw at the end of extra-time, and the game went to penalties. For the Gulls, Mark Loram missed, but Micky Holmes, Paul Holmes, Saunders and Chris Myers all scored, as did goalkeeper Gareth Howells as the penalties went to sudden-death. Blackpool forward Dave Bamber missed the following penalty, Torquay were in theThird Division for the first time in 19 years, and the fanzine Bamber's Right Foot was born.

Torquay struggled the following season and Impey was sacked on October 8, 1991 after Torquay had lost seven of the first eight games of the season.

He made a brief football comeback at non-league Weymouth and then with Bideford.

In July 1999 he was appointed manager of Totnes Town, a position he still held in April 2000. In May 2001, the Herald Express reported that Impey was still living in Torquay.

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