THACKLEY AFC have confirmed that Manager Patrick McGuire will again lead the Dennyboys as First Team Manager into the 2022/2023 season.

McGuire has held the position since January 2018 and is currently one of the longest serving managers in the NCEL Premier Division. During his tenure, he has led the First Team to the League Cup Quarter Finals this season (2021/2022), the County Cup Semi Final in the abandoned 2019/2020 season, and has guided the team through the difficult covid pandemic season curtailments. Under his stewardship, Thackley AFC have gained a reputation for attacking football, with a great deal of importance placed on youth development.

Additionally, Harley Hirst has been promoted from Reserves Team Manager to First Team Coach and the Club’s Head of Youth Development for the 2022/2023 Season.

Hirst joined the Dennyboys last Summer and has played a key role in the development of young players for the First Team, such as goalkeeper Ethan Krabbendam who, after stepping in for the injured Luke Wilson in early February 2022, picked up two Man-of-the-Match awards in succession for impressive performances between the posts, and rising star Josh Sheffield who has risen up through the Thackley Juniors and is now regularly in the Thackley First Team starting XI, picking up the Thackley AFC March 2022 Player of the Month Award.

McGuire and Hirst will be joined in the dugout again by Physio Joe Tate, who has also committed to the upcoming season. In relation to Tate, McGuire commented that "Physios with JT's understanding and expertise are rare and he's a vital part of what we do", stating he is delighted he will be again alongside him.

In place of Hirst, Chris Holland will take full charge of the Thackley AFC Men’s Reserves next season. Holland joined the Club recently and is a great addition to McGuire's coaching staff. Holland will in due course look to appoint an Assistant Manager to assist him for the coming season.

McGuire had the following to say upon his re-appointment:

“I’m delighted to stay on to continue to build our shared vision for the Club with the Chairman, Directors and Committee. Now I’m back in football on a full-time basis, this allows me to develop myself as a Coach and I have never been more invigorated for a new season to begin. I’m excited to implement changes to help raise performances on the field in order to match the excellent work off it. The Club is in the healthiest position it’s been in since I came here and I’m looking forward to see where we can push on to this coming season”

Chairman Ben Oliver had the following to say:

“This coming season will see a turnaround in a number of aspects of the Club, with the retirement of senior players such as Paul Whiteley and Lawrance Hunter and, although we are sad to be losing players of such quality and experience, we are looking forward to the squad being refreshed and to the exciting plans and renewed approach that Patrick has for the 2022/2023 season.

Patrick has worked well within the parameters that the Club have previously set for him whilst we have focussed on completing several key infrastructure projects off the field to place the Club on a secure footing. I’m pleased to report that the Club are in a healthy position going into the new season and this allows us to offer more support to Patrick on the pitch, to make the Dennyboys even more competitive going into the upcoming season.

There are a number of further developments, both on and off the field, that we will be announcing shortly that we are extremely excited about as a Club and will further demonstrate the long-term sustainable strategy that our dedicated committee has for the long term future of the Club.” REPORT BY: BY BEN OLIVER