Background
Skiverton was born in Mile End, London, and began his career as a trainee at Chelsea, but never made the first team
Skiverton was born in Mile End, London, and began his career as a trainee at Chelsea, but never made the first team
As a player, Skiverton started his career at Chelsea, failing to make a first-team appearance but made many reserve appearances, making Captain of the reserve team before moving to Wycombe Wanderers – initially on loan – and then dropping out of the football league by moving to Welling Utd. He finally retired with Yeovil in 2010. As captain, Skiverton took Yeovil into the Football League for the first time in their history.
While playing for Yeovil in the Conference he was called up several times for the England Semi-Pro side and made four appearances.
After a loan spell he made the permanent move to Wycombe Wanderers in 1996, and a year later dropped out of league football to join Welling United. He also had a short spell in Norway in 1995, playing for Sandefjord Ballklubb in Norwegian First Division.
He joined Yeovil from Welling in 1999, and was a key part of the club, playing at centre-back as they gained promotions from the Football Conference up to Football League One. After joining Yeovil he gained cult status with the fans and is a hero at the club, playing over 300 league games before becoming player-manager of the club
Skiverton announced his retirement from playing on 9 May 2010 after appearing 382 times and scoring 42 goals in all competitions making him Yeovil"s tenth most-capped post-war player.
Skiverton made what was expected to be his final appearance ever as a player in Darren Way"s Benefit match against Manchester United Reserves. On 18 February 2009 Skiverton was named as Yeovil"s player-manager after the club had parted company with Russell Slade earlier in the week. He succeeded in keeping Yeovil in League One with a series of good home results finishing in 15th place with 53 points.
On 9 May 2010, after only appearing as a player twice since his appointment he relinquished his playing duties and became just a manager.
On 9 January 2012, Skiverton stood down as manager, with former Yeovil boss Gary Johnson returning for his second spell in charge. Skiverton took on the role of assistant manager.
On 4 February 2015, after Johnson was relieved of his role as manager Skiverton was once again promoted back to acting first team manager. After only winning two of his thirteen matches in charge Skiverton was demoted back to assistant manager with the club appointing Paul Sturrock as the club"s new first team manager.
While at Welling, and at Yeovil until the club turned professional, Skiverton appeared on Dream Team on the staff of Harchester United.