Just over three weeks ago we noted the appointment of the new management team at Stratton Juniors and the news that several other clubs were looking for a new manager ahead of the 2021-22 Season. At the time, the list of clubs looking for a new manager stood at four, with Marlborough Town, Trowbridge Town, Wroughton and Devizes Town Reserves all looking for a new man to take over in the dugout. Shortly after running that article the list increased to five with the announcement coming out of Melksham Town that David Macey and Chris Carr would be stepping down after three seasons at the helm of their reserve side. The good news is that three of the five clubs have now found and announced a new manager with lots of positivity emanating from the clubs about the changes. So here is a brief update on developments.

Marlborough Town

New Head of Football Andy Ealey did not waste too much time finding his replacement for the first team hot seat at Marlborough Town, announcing at the end of May the appointment of former Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development manager Steve Chadwick as the new first team manager at Marlborough. Chadwick had previously been in the dugout at the Gerard Buxton Ground for just under 11 months from October 2018. During that time, his side won 9 of the 24 league games in the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League for a win ratio of 37.5%, with five of those victories coming in his final ten games. A UEFA B qualified coach Steve has also previously been Head Coach for the Wiltshire FA's U16 Representative Side, having started his coaching and managerial career with Malmesbury Youth and it would not be a surprise to a see a bigger focus on younger players at Marlborough this coming season.

Trowbridge Town

Just prior to Marlborough Town’s announcement, Trowbridge Town also noted they had found a replacement for Ant Ottaviano with Jamie Jordan returning to the club from Westbury United as a player manager. Jordan had played in all but one of Westbury’s 16 games last season in the Western league, FA Cup and FA Vase, scoring twice. He had also been a key member of Trowbridge Town’s Wiltshire Senior League title winning side back in Season 2015-16. He will be joined in the dugout by Chris Carr, who moves across from Melksham Town Reserves, Robbie Simmonds and Matt Russling. With a number of players with recent Western League experience already announced as having committed to Trowbridge ahead of the new season Trowbridge could well be serious title challengers this coming season.

Melksham Town Reserves

David Macey and Chris had been very successful in their time at Melksham and leave the club having achieved an impressive win ratio of 57% in the league games that they were in charge, including an unbeaten run of ten games just prior to this season’s league campaign being curtailed. Once again, like Marlborough, Melksham were very quick to announce the replacement for the successful duo, this morning announcing the news that Craig Kent would be joining from Cricklade Town. Kent had been in charge at Cricklade for the past three seasons winning 27 of the 57 league games for a healthy win ratio of 47.4% and Melksham are once again likely to be amongst the leading sides under the new manager. It is certainly an exciting opportunity with the facilities and infrastructure at Melksham for the former Cricklade boss, who will also inherit some good youngsters coming up from the Melksham U18 Floodlit side.

Cricklade Town

With Kent having left Cricklade they now become the seventh side from last season’s Premier Division who will have a new manager come August 14^th.  Anyone interested in the First Team position at Cricklade should contact Club Chairman Richard Austen on 07955 280220 or Email at Richard.Austen1973@hotnail.co.uk by 19th June.

Wroughton and Devizes Town Reserves

In respect of the other two clubs looking for new managers, we understand Wroughton are also close to finalising an appointment and hope to make an announcement in the coming days. The deadline for applications for the position at Devizes Town Reserves has also now passed and no doubt it will not be too long before they also make an announcement.

With so many managerial changes you can also expect a few players to follow former managers to their new clubs so it will be interesting to see where players end up once the registration process gets under way for the new season.

We look forwarding to welcoming all the new managers at the start of Season 2021-22 for what what will hopefully be a more enjoyable season for everyone involved in grassroots football.

12 June 2021