Monday 26th May 2025
Royal Wootton Bassett Town are delighted to announce James Lally as their new Women's First Team manager.
Lally will take over from Adam Wood and will be tasked with another push for promotion with Bassett set for a third season at tier six within the South West Regional Women's Football League.
A UEFA B licensed coach, Lally arrives with significant higher level experience.
He was most recently with FA Women's National League Division One South West side Southampton Women, serving as manager from September 2024 to March of this year.
He enjoyed success as Cheltenham Town Reserves Head Coach in 2023-24, guiding them to a third place finish in the FA Women's National League Reserve South West in the team's first season at that level, while also reaching the Gloucestershire County Women's Trophy final.
In 2021-22 Lally managed Swindon Town in the FA Women's National League Division One South West as the Robins finished sixth and advanced to the Women's FA Cup second round.
Prior to that, from 2019-20 through the 2021-22 season, Lally was Swindon's Development team manager - leading them to second place in the South West Regional Women's Football League Division One Eastern in the latter of those years. During that time he also served as coach for Swindon's First Team side before stepping up to be their manager.
Commenting on his appointment, Lally said: "I'm really looking forward to getting started at Bassett - the club has always played a big role in the local football scene, and that is something that really stood out to me when the opportunity became available."
"I've already had the chance to meet some of the committee, volunteers and players, and there's a real family feel about the place. It's the kind of environment you want to be a part of."
"Over the last couple of seasons, the club has been pushing for promotion, and that ambition is something I want to build on. There's a solid foundation with great facilities, and the goal is clear: keep progressing and work hard for promotion to tier five with eventually making the step up to the Women's National League the bigger aim."
Head of Women's Section Bryan Wood said: "I'm delighted to welcome James on board following a successful interview. He brings plenty of experience coaching and managing at a higher level."
"I'm excited to see what the season holds and look forward to the contributions he'll bring to the team."
Chairman Paul Gerrish added: "It's been an off-season of change with new managers for both our senior Women's and Men's sides. We're very pleased with how the searches for new managers have gone. And - like with Jonny Aitkenhead with the Men's team - we are confident James is the right person for the position with the Women's team."
"We look forward to welcoming James to the club and I am sure he will continue the great work Adam Wood has done with the Women's team over the past couple of years."
Last modified on Monday 26th May 2025 at 18:03.
