Monday 9th June 2025

New Royal Wootton Bassett Town Women's First Team manager James Lally has finalised his coaching staff ahead of the 2025-26 season.

Lally will head a four person staff with two other new faces and a holdover from Adam Wood's coaching team.

David Tomlinson will assume the role of Goalkeeper Coach. A former coach in Bassett's youth section, Tomlinson has significant experience in Women's football having served as Swindon Town's goalkeeper coach for the past five years. He also coaches with Swindon Town's Academy and FC Wiltshire.

Steve Kennedy and Gary Clarke will serve as outfield coaches.

Kennedy, wha has more than ten years' coaching experience, joined Bassett last season and will again be entrusted with developing Bassett's defensive game.

Clarke, meanwhile, is a new arrival who also brings significant prior coaching experience. He has been active in the Women's game, including with Swindon Town's Development side, and has also spent time coaching in the Men's game, most notably at New College during their spell in the Hellenic League.

Commenting on the appointments, manager Lally said: "First, I'd like to thank Adam Wood and his coaching staff for their hard work over the last couple of seasons which has helped set a really good platform from which to build."

"And I'm really pleased that Steve has agreed to stay on as part of the new coaching team. When I met individually with the players, they all spoke really highly of his character and input last season."

"Dave and Gary then both bring significant experience with them."

"I worked closely with Dave for four years while at Swindon and there aren't many better goalkeeper coaches around than him."

"While at Swindon, I was involved in bringing Gary to the club to work with the Development side. And he'll bring his technical expertise and enthusiasm to Bassett."

"We're all excited to get to work when preseason starts in a couple of weeks and I'm confident that the coaching staff we have will help the players develop further and build on the standards set the last couple of years."

Last modified on Monday 9th June 2025 at 22:35.