Career
He started his career as a trainee at Southampton and was released without making it into the first team He moved on to Sheffield United in August 1986 and during his career he played for 11 clubs, including a long spell at Rotherham United before joining Halifax Town in 1999. Alfreton Town
Wilder began his career in management at Alfreton Town.
Halifax Town
Wilder returned to Halifax Town as manager on 2 July 2002.
He replaced caretaker manager Neil Redfearn, who had in turn replaced Alan Little (who left on 8 April after falling ill with appendicitis in March). Halifax had been relegated to the Conference at the end of the season.
Wilder was in charge at Halifax for more than 300 games until the club went into liquidation on 30 June 2008, and he decided to join former Halifax defender Alan Knill, as the assistant manager of Bury. Oxford United
After less than six months at Gigg Lane, Wilder was appointed as the manager of Conference National club Oxford United on 21 December 2008, where he only just missed out on a play-off place in his first season.
Wilder"s first full season in charge of Oxford began successfully and by mid-season they were top of the Conference table by five points with a game in hand.
They defeated Rushden & Diamonds to reach the play-off final, and gained promotion to the Football League by beating York City 3–1. In their first season back in the Football League in four years, Wilder guided Oxford to mid-table safety. The team finished 12th, in the top half of the table, their highest finish in seven years.
The next season Oxford finished ninth, after poor form late in the season led to the team dropping out of the play-off position they had occupied for most of the year.
Oxford"s chairman Kelvin Thomas gave Wilder his backing, meaning he would remain manager for the 2012-2013 season. On 26 January 2014 he resigned as Oxford manager with the intention of joining League Two rivals Northampton Town as their manager.
Northampton Town
On 27 January 2014 Wilder was appointed manager of Northampton Town, signing a three-and-a-half year contract. Wilder successfully battled imminent relegation to the Conference, after taking over the club in the relegation zone in League 2.
As a manager
Alfreton Town
Northern Counties East Football League Premier Division: 2001-2002
Northern Counties East Football League League Cup: 2001-2002
Derbyshire Senior Cup: 2001-2002
Oxford United
Conference Premier play-offs: 2009-2010.
