Experienced football coach and UEFA Pro-license holder, Simon Hollyhead, has been appointed as Banbury United’s new First Team Manager. The Banbury United project has enticed the former Assistant Manager at Champions League side, Malmö FC, to return to team management, despite having turned down Football League opportunities.

Simon, who lives in nearby Warwick, was recruited by ex-Sheffield Wednesday and Coventry City manager, Roland Nilsson, to be his assistant at Malmö between 2010 and 2014. He went on to hold Assistant Manager positions at primary national football league clubs, SK Brann FC in Norway, and Odense FC in Denmark. In 2018, he was Assistant Manager at Stevenage FC where, by the time he departed, he had helped elevate the team into the League 2 play-off position.

In addition to holding a UEFA Pro-license, Simon is a member of the League Managers’ Association, from which he has a Diploma in Football Management. He is also a Judicial Services Panel Member at the FA. Simon will lead Banbury United around his role as Head of Elite Sport at Northampton Academy, United Learning Trust, where he has been responsible for maximising the performance of exceptionally talented young athletes for the last three years.

“I have been in and around all levels of the UK football pyramid since returning to the UK in 2021, including some consultancy to Step 2 and Step 3 teams,” said Simon Hollyhead. “I decided to prioritise my family at weekends after they dutifully followed me around Scandinavia for seven years. I have been approached for a return to management on several occasions, but the right project has never quite reared its head. When I saw the vacancy at Banbury United, I thought: this is it! I have thought of nothing else for three weeks!

“My enthusiasm is heavily based on feedback from the due diligence I’ve conducted on Banbury United, having spoken with various contacts, including ex-players of the Club. I also watched the last home game and was very impressed with the Club’s heritage and community feel. Work started yesterday, with player recruitment. I am looking forward to getting the right character of player in and taking the team on a journey to a goal of Banbury United playing at its highest ever level in 2031, its centenary year.”

Wayne Farrell, Chairman of Banbury United FC said, “The quality of candidates for this role was absolutely outstanding. Along with his top-level football management credentials and incredibly deep knowledge and experience, Simon presented an exceedingly thorough multi-year plan for Banbury United. He unanimously impressed the recruitment panel with his team and player connections that are relevant to this level, his strategy for recruitment and player management, and match strategy.”

“It's hard not to say how lucky we feel attracting a manager of Simon’s calibre. Our 2024-25 season signings have got off to a great start!”

Further announcements regarding Simon Hollyhead’s management team and players will be made in due course. Club members will be invited to a "Meet the Manager" evening shortly.