Below is a brief history of Ronnie Jepson - not that he needs any introduction to most Town fans!

Ronald Francis Jepson was born in Audley, Stoke-on-Trent on May 12^th 1963. He was a relative latecomer to the game of professional football; joining Port Vale as a 25-year old in 1988 from non-league Nantwich Town. This ended his former profession - he had worked as a miner in Stoke for six years before the move to Vale Park.

A bustling striker, he played 22 games for the Valiants and enjoyed a spell at Peterborough United before joining Preston North End in 1990. After netting eight times in 38 appearances for the Lancastrians - three coming in his home debut at Deepdale in a 6-1 thrashing of Burnley - he joined Exeter City a year later.

It was at St. James Park where he really established himself. 'Rocket Ron' scored 21 goals in just 54 appearances for Exeter before Town manager Neil Warnock paid £70,000 for his services in December 1993.

After a slow start, he formed a formidable partnership with a young Andy Booth in attack. Between them, their 35 goals in the 94/95 season paved the way for promotion to Division One via the Play-Offs. All in all, Jepson made a total of 112 starts and 13 substitute appearances in the famous Blue and White stripes, scoring 42 goals.

Rocket Ron in his Town days

Jepson eventually left the Galpharm Stadium for Bury in 1996 - interestingly, it was Stan Ternent who signed him - before moving onto Oldham Athletic a year later. Ternent signed him once more at Burnley in 1998, but unfortunately an Achilles problem at the end of the 2000/01 season put an early end to his playing career.

Ternent immediately appointed 'Rocket Ron' to the role of Reserve Coach at Turf Moor and he performed this role until May 2004, when he was released along with manager Ternent. The pair then joined struggling Gillingham in December as the Club battled to avoid relegation from the Championship; they failed in their collective efforts but despite Stan's departure from the Club in the summer, Ronnie stayed on at the Club as Assistant Manager to new boss Neale Cooper.

The 2005/06 season did not start well for the Gills and Cooper resigned after a Cup defeat to non-league Burscough. Jepson was appointed as manager on 15^th November 2005 - initially on a caretaker basis - and guided the team to a comfortable 14^th place finish. He gained the much-coveted UEFA Pro License qualification in 2006.

The following season did not go as well and after five defeats in six games, Ronnie resigned as manager. Since that time he has been performing a scouting role for Crystal Palace.