United Women’s Chairman Steve Elswood announces his team’s new line-up.
Steve Elswood, Chair of Torquay United Women’s FC is proud to announce a new management team. This will consist of joint managers Tracey Cross & Jake Ellis, with Tracey continuing to lead in a player manager capacity alongside Ellis & a full support team.
Regarding the appointments, Elswood said:
“Jake and Tracey stepped into caretaker roles over the last 10 days and I felt that their appointment permanently gives an internal knowledge of the squad and also sets us up really positively for the future. There are lots of projects starting now and a pathway to build for the future for the football club, and with hunger from both Jake and Tracey we are going to be in a far more promising picture for the future.
“There’s no pressure on them to deliver us National League safety this season. Of course, we’ll be delighted if we can achieve it but if we can’t sadly then we make sure we’re in a really positive position to bounce straight back again with a enthusiastic and strong management team. For us all now it’s getting some positive results where we can.”
Elswood also wanted to place on record his thanks to a Alan Wyatt, who has departed the Club for pastures new.
“We would like to put it out there our thanks to Alan Wyatt, who worked tirelessly with me throughout last season and stepped into the head coach role for the first quarter of this season. Without his support and hard work, we wouldn’t have achieved the success last season in winning the title and the incredible county cup final triumph.
“Alan was offered a role within the new structure, looking after and developing a recruitment & scouting network, and helping to develop a pathway for young players. However, he made a decision that coaching was his main love, and stepped away from the Club to have a break from the game but I’m sure he ll be back coaching a team in due course.
“Overall, I’m delighted to get both Jake and Tracey in a joint capacity, they both complement each other really well and I’ve been very impressed with their work and vision this week. We are all under no illusions we are in a challenging position in maintaining our NL status, but this appointment now gives us a fighting chance. This week alone we’ve brought some players into the club on dual signing arrangements which will improve our squad depth and I will give everything possible to ensure both Tracey and Jake have the best chances to improve performance within the squad and see where some positive results may take us in the end of season picture
“For me, there aren’t enough women in management positions in the women’s game, which is wrong and I’m delighted that Tracey has agreed to this new challenge alongside Jake and I’m a firm supporter of her development as a manager. Without doubt they will both be a massive success for us at the football club”