Important Announcement
Barry Town United can confirm that Gavin Chesterfield has sadly resigned as our First Team Manager. Gavin will remain as manager for the next two months to support the transition on and off the field with his final game in the dug out being on Saturday November 5th at home to Trefelin.
Gavin will depart us for a full-time role in professional football, this is an opportunity he fully deserves and we wish him so much future success.
His 15 years with us have been nothing short of an incredible rollercoaster and it will be difficult to put into words his contribution during that period. Gavin will depart leaving behind a legacy of a stable, diverse and growing club fit to contribute to welsh football for many years to come.
Chesterfield commented “It was never going to be an easy decision to leave the club that my family and I call home. We have been through so many highs and lows but together and with the help of so many others, we’ve rebuilt a club that is now financially secure, thriving and one that has a very bright future. I have always said that managers are only ever caretakers and I just happened to be our caretaker for a little longer than most. I will depart the club in very safe hands with a fantastic chairman, board, staff, volunteers and a talented and balanced squad who I have no doubt will go on to achieve great things as a group.
To the supporters, thank you for everything and especially for making my family love this football club; during the good times and the bad you’ve kept us all going. Your loyalty, support and passion are a huge point of difference and significantly enhance the player and supporter experience at the club. You’re the life blood of the club; you are one of the main reasons it still stands today and one of the main reasons why the future’s so bright.
To Chairman Mark and the board thank you for your unwavering support and backing at all times both on and off the field. As a manager, I could not ask for any more and I look forward to continuing to see the club’s evolution in your safe hands. For now my focus remains on the next game on Saturday and helping my players win as many games of football as they can. There will be plenty of time for reflection come November.”
Chairman Mark Barrett commented: “Whilst we are all devastated to lose Gavin we accept this is an opportunity for him to work full time in a significant player development role which he has dreamed of doing since he was himself released professionally in 2001. From the bottom of my heart I thank Gavin personally for all he has done for the club and our town since 2007. We know that Barry Town will forever be his club and will always hold a very special place in his heart, he will never be a stranger at Jenner Park. Naturally this will have an impact on the club hence why Gavin will serve his full notice period and stays with us for a few months whilst we make the transition both on and off the field.
In more positive news I am delighted that Hannah Chesterfield has accepted my invitation to remain on the club’s Executive Board to continue to work with us to drive our great club forward.
I fully understand this news will come as a shock to all supporters, therefore a members meeting to chat through further will be held in the coming weeks; with a further statement on the appointment of our next manager announced in due course.”