There is a familiar name back at Oxford United with Andy Caton joining the club as Head of Academy Medical Services.
Andy rejoins the club where he was once part of the Academy age group sides and where his dad Tommy played for the U’s during their years in the top flight. Andy went on to play locally while focussing on the medical side of the game, completing his qualifications and working for Crystal Palace, among other clubs.
He joins the U’s to oversee the medical side of things from all age groups from the under 9s to under 23s after Luke Jones left last week to take up a new role at BMW. Academy Manager Dan Harris told us
“First of all we thank Luke for all his efforts because he has been great for us and I am sure we will still see him around because he remains a massive Oxford United fan. But Andy has slotted straight in and has fantastic experience and qualifications and obviously has a massive connection with the club. He will have an important role for us and it’s good to have him on board. I think it says a lot about the progress we are making as a club when someone who has been working at Premier League level wants to come and join us.”
Andy was pleased to be back at the club where he started:
“I was in the under 10s at one stage and I have always loved playing the game but the plan was always physio after football and unfortunately I had a car crash at 18 and was never quite the same as a player so my priorities had to change at that age. I started my Sports Science degree at Bath University and combined that with some teaching at Henry Box School while I was playing at North Leigh. I played there with Chris Allen and with Matty Taylor and it’s great to see him back in the League and back at the club.
“After Uni I ended up at St Thomas Hospital in Westminster and then did a Masters at Kings College and then that led to some work at Crystal Palace and a way back into the professional game which has eventually led me back to Oxford.
“It is such an exciting time to be joining with the new Training Ground and the way the Academy and the whole club is moving forward. It’s a different challenge and one I am really looking forward to.”