Manns began his career with
Cardiff City, but left for
Notts County in August 1979 without making a league appearance. He spent three and a half years with County, making seven league appearances (four of them coming in the club's promotion season from
Division Two in
1980–81). In March 1983, Manns joined
Division Four side
Chester City on non-contract terms. Manns made his Chester debut in a 3–2 win at
Swindon Town on 12 March 1983 and played in the club's final 12 games of the season, scoring three times. He impressed sufficiently to win a full contract for the following season, Manns' current whereabouts are not known in football circles.{{Cite news ==References==