U's welcome Andy Cook as Women's Team Manager
Oxford United Women are delighted to confirm the appointment of Andy Cook as their new First Team Manager. Andy takes charge of a new look coaching team, with Karl Milgate continuing as Head Coach.
Andy has an impressive CV including previous coaching experience at Arsenal and Durham, and joins the club on a full-time basis.
He will work across the club’s WSL, RTC and education programme , working alongside Women’s General Manager Ruth Senior. He told us “I am absolutely delighted to be offered this role, Ruth and the club have given me a great opportunity to work in the WSL and develop a team and club at Oxford. Having met the players, staff and chairman everyone is looking forward to what can be achieved and the plans in place for the coming season. The long term vision of the club is really exciting, the opportunity to link education and football is something that I believe in and we can develop and maintain high standards here at Oxford. I can't wait to get started.
“Having seen the FA Cup tie and then the first league game against Everton we all know we have a lot of work to do; coming in full time allows me to assess and develop every part of the team and gives Oxford the best chance to start winning games. It will be great to work with Lauren Haynes again, she knows what I will be looking for from our time at Arsenal.
“We are looking at bringing new players to the club over the Spring Series building into the new winter WSL league. We want to add quality and provide competition for places and raise the intensity in training. The long term goal is to continue to develop our own and I will be hoping that every player and staff member is ready to fight and work to better the club every day."
Ruth Senior, Oxford United WFC’s General Manager, said “We’ve taken our time with the appointment due to the club’s proud history of youth development. I am really excited to work with Andy on our long-term vision for the club. This appointment also demonstrates the management staff’s one club philosophy. Working with the Community Trust, we have been able to offer a sustainable role that has allowed us to bring Andy in for the long-term to enhance not only WSL, but our community as a whole.”
Kate Longworth, Head of Community, said “It will be fantastic to bring Andy's experience of recruiting women to the game into our education programmes. Our Advance sixth form girls will be in the enviable position of working with the same coach as the women's first team. We can't wait to get started in spreading the huge benefits that participation in the women's game can bring.”
Andy takes charge for the first time this Sunday when the Women travel to Brighton in the Spring Series.