Club statement re appointment of a new manager.
We had a really good response for the job vacancy and after going through every single application, and after an extensive interview process, we are absolutely delighted to announce that Patrick McGuire will be the new 1st team manager of Frickley Athletic.
We would also like to take this opportunity to give a HUGE thank you to Martin Beaumont and Tony Jones for all their help and support during the past seven days. Considering everything going on, to get two incredible performances and also win four points in very tough away games, is quite phenomenal. Very well done and thank you.
We would also like to thank all the players and Sarah for their loyalty, hard work and support. You have shown your true quality, great spirit and real resilience to get two great and much needed results. Thank you again and let’s now go undefeated throughout the rest of the season!!
Thank you to all the supporters and volunteers for your continued support and patience. Over 40 loyal supporters travelled to Silsden on Tuesday night and we also had a huge following at Handsworth on a bitterly cold Saturday afternoon. Quite remarkable, thank you.
We look forward to seeing you on Saturday back at the Wezzie.
Up the Blues
The Board
Please see a brief bio of Pat below:
A former professional footballer, Pat has playing experience at almost every level from EFL League 1 to the NCEL Premier Division, including a brief spell with the Azzuri back in 2010. Pat has spent the last five years managing Thackley AFC, where he was a former captain, leading them to the highest points total in the Club’s history. He was able to help stabilise the Club and build squads on low budgets to cement their position in the division through times of financial uncertainty, whilst leading them to a County Cup Semi-Final (curtailed due to COVID-19) and consecutive League Cup Quarter Finals.
Pat was also captain of the Yorkshire International Team where again, he made the step up to become Head Coach in 2022. Day to day, Pat is in football on a full-time basis as the Scholarship Head Coach for the U19s at Bradford (Park Avenue) FC, and is having great success developing young players who are now being given opportunities in the First Team.
Joining Pat will be Blake Campbell, who is Head of Scouting and Recruitment Analyst at Bradford (Park Avenue). Blake works extensively with EFL clubs as an opposition scout. A former rugby player with International honours, Blake also managed East FC in Australia, winning the Belgrave Cup. Blake also has management experience as Head Coach of New England Academy.
Pat had the below to say about his appointment:
‘Blake and I are delighted to be here at Frickley Athletic FC. The Club has a long term vision for success, centred around the community and youth development, which is exactly the kind of Club we wanted to be a part of. With Frickley having been higher up the football pyramid in recent years, we want to help the Club get back to where it belongs and beyond, whilst creating opportunities for young players to develop and succeed in the game.
We look forward to working closely with Martin Beaumont and his successful U23 side, to continue to strengthen the pathway for talented young players into senior football. There are good foundations here within the squad, and we are excited to take training on Tuesday and Thursday and meet the lads.
Hopefully we will see a big turnout on Saturday to support the lads as we aim to finish the season strongly. See you at the Wezzie!’
#forzafrickley
