Current First Team Coach Mark Clifton will now work alongside Jon Ford as Joint Assistant Manager, with the aim of allowing Manager Gary Hackett more time and opportunity to look at possible new signings and opponents.

Meanwhile, Rob Williams has been appointed as the new First Team Coach in Mark's place.

Rob is a highly experienced, qualified and knowledgeable coach having worked in both the men's and women's games over the past 19 years. He currently holds the UEFA 'A' Preparatory Certificate, UEFA 'B' Licence and FA Youth Award.

Rob has recently been working with the FA as a coach educator and coach mentor, working with coaches to support their development, as well as being Head Coach of the Men’s football programme at the University of Birmingham for the past two seasons (finishing 2nd in both campaigns), and spent last season working with the Glassboys' U18 MJPL and SDYFL squads.

Rob has a vast experience of working at all levels of the game having previously worked full time at both The Albion Foundation as Coaching & Workforce Manager, and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC as Community Officer, during which time he worked in both Clubs' Academies.

Rob’s previous non-league experience was with Stafford Rangers' Under 17s and, last season, a spell during pre-season with Alvechurch. Rob also has experience of coaching overseas in the USA, India and Dubai, and has worked with PSC (Pro Soccer Consulting) as a staff coach on player showcase tours to Sweden.

Between 2007 and 2012 Rob worked predominantly in the women's game. During this time Rob was Head Coach with Aston Villa Ladies FC and was also Head Coach of the England Colleges Women’s Under 19 National Team for four seasons, winning a bronze medal at the World Youth Cup in Sweden, the Anglo–Welsh Shield for three consecutive seasons, and also leading the team on tours to Northern Ireland (winning fixtures against their Under 19 National team on both visits) and Estonia to play the Under 21 and Under 19 teams.

Even though Rob has been working with some of our age group squads last season, we nevertheless would like to welcome him afresh to the War Memorial Ground, and we hope that his new role with the First Team will prove both rewarding and successful!