Sunday 5th May 2019

Royal Wootton Bassett Town have strengthened their senior management team with the appointment of Mike Byrne as Head of Senior Coaching.

Byrne will join the club for the 2019-20 season as a volunteer, supporting and offering guidance to the club's senior coaching teams.

He is a vastly experienced and highly qualified coach, who Bassett are delighted to have on board.

Currently working as the Wiltshire FA's County Coach Developer, Byrne has previously held coaching positions with Forest Green Rovers' first team and the youth academies at Bristol Rovers, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Swindon Town, as well as a number of non-league sides.

He is no stranger to Bassett either, having held a relationship with the club for many years. Most notably, he served as assistant manager to Pete Yeardley when he was in charge of the first and reserve teams during the early 2000s. Meanwhile, last season he acted as a mentor to first team manager Sam Collier to great effect.

Commenting on the appointment, club chairman Andy Walduck said: "I'm pleased that we have been able to obtain Mike's support."

"He offers a different, highly informed point of view when it comes to coaching, which will strengthen our senior section as a whole, and it fits well with his full time role at the FA."

"Mike will be a great source of knowledge and experience for our various management teams, and he will improve the club's approach and professionalism towards the coaching it provides its senior players."

"This is something we are always looking to develop and Mike's appointment will contribute towards that ethos."

Last modified on Sunday 5th May 2019 at 16:12.