With the 2022/2023 season fast approaching, the team behind the scenes at Clitheroe Football Club have been working hard to bring you some phenomenal news. We can finally announce our completed 2022/2023 Management Team!

The 2022/23 season sees Billy Priestley continue at Joint Player Manger. Billy boasts a lengthy playing career and is considered a role-model for many, both on and off the pitch; taking the leap into his first management post here at Shawbridge in pre-season last year. Since then, he has quickly grown to be a fan favourite. While he has stepped into management that doesn’t stop him from playing; last season, despite playing as a central defender Billy found the net ten times in thirty-five appearances. In interview, Billy shared his outlook on the new season, “There’s no stress, no worries: we’ve got everything how we want it to be. I can’t wait to get the season started!”

This season, we welcome back familiar face Kyle Hall, but this time in a different capacity. Kyle joined the Blues at the tail end of last season as one of the coaches but has now stepped up to support Billy as Joint Manager and Head Coach. Kyle is a UEFA B Licensed Coach and currently works as a coach at the Bolton Wanders FC Youth Academy as well as holding the position of Director of Football and Recruitment for ‘The Football Learning Group’. Previously, Kyle has also spent time at local rivals, Colne as the Assistant Manager. Hall is excited to make his return to Shawbridge, “It was a no brainer really to come back in and be a part of the team.” Last season Kyle was known amongst fans for his passionate attitude displayed from the dugout and it’s something we expect to see again this season.

Arron Ripley returns this season as Head of Analysis and Set Plays. Arron stepped up from the U21 staff, when Billy was first appointed as manager, to become First Team Coach. Arron was balancing the coaching and analysis last season but after Kyle’s arrival the coaching responsibilities have been shared out, with Arron now fully focusing on the analysis side of things. Arron is a ‘Clitheroe lad through and through’ and has spent time at local clubs such as Hurst Green and Rimington whilst working his way up the pyramid. We spoke to Arron this week to discuss his prediction for the side this season, “The players in there are more than good enough to at least reach the playoffs. But we want to aim to not just go through the playoffs but understand there are some quality sides in this division.”

Steve Petty is appointed Head of Goalkeeping this season to work alongside the four goalkeepers currently training with the first team. Most recognisable for fans will be Chris Thompson and George Bristol but also 2 Youth Keepers who currently work in and around the First Team. We spoke to Steve earlier this week and he wanted to shine the spotlight on his keepers, “My role at the club is to work with the goalkeeping group supporting them and their development needs. Matty Hodds (one of the youth keepers) has been at the club for a few years and needed game time to develop, so I arranged for him to play for the reserves at Hurst Green. Matty will be returning to Hurst Green to push for a First Team opportunity whilst also playing for our U23’s. Since my arrival, George’s attitude and commitment has been exemplary. When Tommo got injured, he took his chance against Market Drayton and Marine and showed he was more than capable of stepping up. The Long-Term Goal for George is to be pushing Tommo for that number one shirt. Tommo holds a professional attitude towards playing semi-professional football. He sets the standards in training every week and is a role model to the younger players. We have a very tight group and are quick to support each other if anyone hits a low point. One thing you will have noticed over my time at the club is the opportunity being brought to the U23s. The whole management team is ready to give them opportunities. Our newest of the goalkeepers is, Dec, he is currently training with the goalkeepers to gain experience of the standards needed at this level. Clitheroe FC is in safe hands!”

Lee Hill enters the Management Team this season as the Performance & Injury Prevention Coach. Lee will work with the squad to help the players reach and maintain peak performance here at Clitheroe FC. Lee is a performance coach who has a strong background in the fitness industry as a Physical Training Instructor in the Military, Personal Trainer and Strength and Conditioning coach. He specialises in helping teams achieve higher individual and organisational success. We spoke to Lee about the importance of his role here at CFC, “Having spoken with the management, fitness is going to be key this season, therefore I am looking to maximise fitness levels through a measured approach. It’s not about flogging the lads every week and telling them to simply ‘work harder’; it’s about managing workload to reduce injury risk and ensure optimal fitness levels are maintained, ensuring the lads are capable of achieving the high physical demands required from the management, and in turn achieve our season’s aims.”

Harry Whitham returns to Shawbridge, continuing in his role as the First Team Physiotherapist. Harry joined the club as an Assistant to previous Physio, Neil Coomber. But after Neil’s departure Harry took on the position himself. Harry has recently graduated with a 1st Class BSc in Sports Therapy. Harry is more than aware of the challenge to come this season, “The calendar is looking busy; it’s a hectic schedule, especially when you add in training as well. It’s our job to give them the best recovery, make sure players are doing the right thing away from the game and when they come back in, we complete rigorous fitness training to ensure they are all fully fit with no niggles or injuries and then look after the ones that do.”

We also spoke to Head of Scouting, Dave Turner, this week who gave us his take on the season ahead. Dave is currently happy with the squad but like all good scouts, he is still on the lookout for that little touch of quality, “The squad we had towards the end of last season proved they’re more capable and we’ve retained most. So, it’s just looking if we can add that little bit of quality to an already very good side.” Dave is confident we will be able to keep adding to this strong side as we battle our way through the NPL West Division. Dave has spent the past few years at various clubs watching the leagues above and below.

All at Clitheroe FC hope you share our excitement about this announcement and we look forward to watching this group go from strength to strength as time goes on. Come on you Blues!