David John Artell (born 22 November 1980) is a football manager and former professional player who is currently the head coach of club Grimsby Town. Born in England, he won seven caps for the Gibraltar national team between 2014 and 2015.
Artell began his career as a centre back with his hometown club Rotherham United in 1998, and played his part in the club's successive promotions from the Third Division to the First Division in the 1999–2000 and 2000–01 seasons. He then joined Shrewsbury Town on loan for the 2002–03 season, followed by successive two-year permanent spells at Mansfield Town and Chester City between 2003 and 2007, before leaving the latter for Morecambe. In 2010, Artell joined Crewe Alexandra, and went on to captain the side to victory in the 2012 League Two play-off final. In July 2012, he joined Port Vale, but left abruptly to join Northampton Town the following month. A loan spell at Wrexham during the 2012–13 campaign followed, and was later made permanent. Artell remained in Wales, going onto play for Bala Town and Port Talbot Town between 2014 and 2016, before returning to England with Kidsgrove Athletic, and Droylsden, the latter of which he retired with in 2017.
In January 2017, Artell was appointed as first-team manager by his former club Crewe Alexandra, where he had been the academy operations manager for the previous three years. He led The Railwaymen to automatic promotion from League Two in the 2019–20 season, despite its disruption due to COVID-19, and then oversaw the club's highest finish in 15 years in the 2020–21 season, finishing 12th in League One. However, the 2021–22 campaign proved to be one of the worst in Crewe's modern history; in April 2022, they were relegated back to the fourth tier with four games to spare, and Artell was sacked by the club that month after five years in charge. In November 2023, Artell was appointed head coach of League Two club Grimsby Town.
Club career Rotherham United A centre back, Artell began his career with his hometown club Rotherham United, making his debut as a substitute on 12 October 1999 in a 2–0 defeat to Swansea City at Vetch Field – his only appearance that season, in which The Millers won promotion as Third Division runners-up. He scored his first senior goal the following season; a header in a 1–1 draw with Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium on 23 September 2000. Artell made 40 appearances in the 2000–01 campaign, playing a vital role in the club's second successive promotion from the Second Division. Despite this, he never featured at Millmoor in the First Division under manager Ronnie Moore.
In September 2002, Artell joined Third Division side Shrewsbury Town on loan for the remainder of the 2002–03 season. On 4 January 2003, Shrews defeated Premier League giants Everton 2–1 at the Gay Meadow in the FA Cup third round, a major cup upset in which Artell featured. He also featured in the following round as they were beaten comprehensively by another Premier League outfit in Chelsea, who ran out 4–0 winners at the Gay Meadow on 11 February 2003. That season was ultimately a disappointing one for Salop, as they were relegated from the Football League after finishing rock-bottom of the Third Division. Artell later said the dressing room was divided between younger and older players under manager Kevin Ratcliffe. In May 2003, Artell returned to Rotherham but was released by the club.
Mansfield Town After leaving Rotherham United, Artell joined Third Division side Mansfield Town on a short-term contract at the start of the 2003–04 season. He made 32 appearances during that season and was also an unused substitute in the Stags' play-off final defeat to Huddersfield Town at the Millennium Stadium on 31 May 2004. Artell went on to make 23 appearances in the 2004–05 season, but was then forced to undergo surgery, and was eventually frozen out of the first-team picture after manager Keith Curle was replaced by Carlton Palmer in November 2004.
Chester City In July 2005, Artell followed Keith Curle, his manager at Mansfield the previous season, out of Field Mill and onto League Two side Chester City. The move was surrounded by accusations of an 'illegal approach' by the Seals for Artell's services. He featured 41 times in the 2005–06 season, retaining his first-team spot at the Deva Stadium under new boss Mark Wright. Artell racked up a further 50 appearances for the club during the 2006–07 season, before being released by manager Bobby Williamson in May 2007, after he and the club were unsuccessful in their attempts to negotiate a new contract that would have extended Artell's stay at the club.
Morecambe In July 2007, Artell joined Football League newcomers Morecambe. His first goal for the Shrimps came in only his second competitive appearance for the club, scoring a last-minute winner to stun Lancashire rivals Preston North End 2–1 at Deepdale in the League Cup first round. He went on to form a strong defensive partnership with Jim Bentley, notching a total of 44 appearances in the 2007–08 season. However, in November 2008, by which point Artell had lost his regular first-team place, he was told by manager Sammy McIlroy that he was free to leave the club on loan. Artell, however, decided to stay at Christie Park and fight for his first-team spot, which he eventually won back; he made a further 43 appearances for the side in the 2008–09 season.
The following campaign, he made 42 appearances for the Shrimps and scored eight goals, all of which proved vital in the club's qualification for the League Two play-offs following an impressive fourth-place finish. In their first-leg semi-final tie at Dagenham & Redbridge, Morecambe were thrashed 6–0, and were condemned to another season in League Two with a 7–2 defeat on aggregate despite their 2–1 victory in the tie's second-leg, during which Artell scored what would prove to be the final ever goal at Christie Park, prior to its demolition that year and the Shrimps' subsequent move to the Mazuma Mobile Stadium.
Crewe Alexandra In June 2010, Artell joined League Two side Crewe Alexandra on a free transfer, penning a two-year contract. He said he was excited at the chance to work closely with manager Dario Gradi, whose status as a renowned coach further compelled him to join the club. Immediately after joining the club, Artell was appointed co-captain alongside Lee Bell and Ashley Westwood. In March 2011, he had a minor bust-up with Gradi after being substituted during a home win against Chesterfield, but the issue was later resolved.
A hamstring injury kept Artell out of the first couple of months of the 2011–12 season. In December 2011, he was named Crewe's sole captain by new manager Steve Davis. The following month, he was sent off for a "dangerous tackle" on Barnet's Izale McLeod in a 2–0 defeat. In February 2012, Artell had an on-the-pitch row with goalkeeper teammate Steve Phillips; Phillips was booked for the row – it was the second time that season that the goalkeeper was involved in an on-the-pitch row with a teammate. The following month, in March 2012, Artell was nominated for League Two Player of the Month, but was beaten to the award by Torquay United's Lee Mansell. On 27 May 2012, Artell captained Crewe to a 2–0 victory against Cheltenham Town in the League Two play-off final at Wembley Stadium, helping to secure their promotion to League One. Despite this, he was released by the club just five days later.
Port Vale to Northampton Town On 6 July 2012, Artell signed for League Two side Port Vale on a one-year deal, with the option of a second. Upon joining the Valiants, he stated that "...geography had a big part to play in my decision. Promotion possibilities, money, length of contract, they all come into it and Port Vale ticked all those boxes." However, just over a month after his move to Vale Park, Artell departed the club on 11 August, just days prior to the start of the 2012–13 season. Artell had refused to sign a revised contract at the club due to its failure to exit administration. Two days later, on 13 August, he joined fellow League Two outfit Northampton Town. Cobblers boss Aidy Boothroyd said of Artell: "he's the coagulant that will connect the other bits and pieces." His debut for the club came just the day after he had signed; he started, and scored, in a 2–1 League Cup victory over Championship side Cardiff City at Sixfields Stadium. However, Artell's Northampton career effectively ended when he sustained an Achilles injury in October. After he had recovered a few months later, he had lost his first team-place.
Wrexham On 26 February 2013, Artell joined Conference Premier side Wrexham on loan for the remainder of the 2012–13 season. On the final day of the season, he was sent off in a 1–0 defeat to former side Mansfield Town at Field Mill. Consequently, he was expected to miss the upcoming play-offs due to his suspension. However, his imposed three-match ban was lifted by a Football Association of Wales disciplinary panel. Artell went onto score in the Red Dragons' 2–1 semi-final first leg victory against Kidderminster Harriers at the Racecourse Ground. Wrexham reached the play-off final at Wembley, but were beaten 2–0 by fellow Welsh side Newport County on 5 May 2013.
In September 2013, Artell's spell at Wrexham became permanent when he signed a 12-month contract with the club. His debut as a permanent Wrexham player came in a 2–0 win against Luton Town on 13 September. He scored his first league goal for the club in a comprehensive 5–2 win over Hyde at Ewen Fields on 28 December. He made a total of 30 appearances in the 2013–14 campaign, helping the club secure safety with a 17th-place finish. He was released at the end of the campaign upon the expiry of his contract.
Later career In 2014, following his departure from Wrexham, Artell opted to stay in Wales and signed for Welsh Premier League club Bala Town. He helped steer the Lakesiders to a second-place finish in the 2014–15 season, though they finished a resounding 18 points behind The New Saints. In January 2016, Artell left Bala for fellow Welsh Premier League side Port Talbot Town. The Steelmen were relegated at the end of the 2015–16 season after being rejected a licence by the Welsh FA Club Licensing Appeals Body; this was despite the club finishing one place and 12 points above the relegation zone. In June 2016, Artell signed for Northern Premier League club Kidsgrove Athletic, and scored two goals in cup competitions for the Grove. The final move of his playing career came in November 2016 when he joined Northern Premier League First Division team Droylsden.
International career Artell was called up to the Gibraltar national football team in February 2014. He made his debut on 1 March 2014 in Gibraltar's second official match, a 4–1 friendly defeat to the Faroe Islands at the Victoria Stadium.
Style of play The Football League Paper described Artell as "an archetypal lower-league stopper", and former manager and teammate Jim Bentley said that "he was committed, he was aggressive, he was brave."
Managerial career In July 2014, Artell became academy operations manager at former club Crewe Alexandra while still playing for Bala Town.
Crewe Alexandra