Wantage Town Football Club would like to announce the appointment of new First Team management and coaching staff with immediate effect. The team will be led by Daniel Barry, who joins the club from Stanford-in-the-Vale AFC, supported by Assistant Managers John Newton and Chris Hurley, and Coaches Daniel Smith and Matty Clark. Their first game in charge will be the away match to Chipping Sodbury this Saturday, 25 March 2023.

Daniel Barry (Manager): Having stopped playing at age 18 due to a number of knee injuries, and after a short spell as a level 3 referee, Daniel moved into coaching and has been part of the management teams at Bicester Town, Witney Town and Clanfield as well as previously managing Wantage Town First Team and the Reserves. After a spell away from the game, he has spent the last two seasons at Stanford-in-the-Vale AFC but says he couldn’t refuse the exciting opportunity to return to Wantage and being part of their ambitious plans for the future.

John Newton (Assistant Manager): Having come through the youth system in the 90s, John is excited to come full circle and be back at Alfredian Park! With over 15 years’ experience coaching and managing through juniors, youth and senior football locally, he’s looking forward to helping Wantage Town FC build a bright future.

Chris Hurley (Assistant Manager): Chris played some professional football and has 20+ years’ experience as a qualified coach, mentor and manager covering the Southern, Rymans, Isthmian, Suburban and Hellenic leagues. He says he’s looking forward to assisting Daniel at Wantage Town FC.

Daniel Smith (Coach): With over 20 years of playing football at Southern and Hellenic level, Dan is ready to push the Wantage keepers to ensure they’re the best they can be. Since having his own children, he’s ventured into coaching, and have gained UEFA C and National Goalkeeping Coaching qualifications. He’s currently managing/coaching two youth teams and having played for Wantage previously, says he is delighted to be back and is looking forward to working with the team again.

Matty Clark (Coach): Matty has previously played for Oxford United, Swindon Town and Salisbury City and is now enjoying the coaching side of football with a focus on bringing young talent through. A Wantage local with a love for the Club.