8th February 2021
Cheltenham Town Ladies have added three new members to its Board of Directors during the third national lockdown, with an eye on growing and developing the club over the next few seasons.
Robinesses Chairman, Andy Liddle, believes the new Directors can be instrumental in helping the club progress as the club “beefs up its backroom staff” in addition to the coaching and playing additions that have been made so far this campaign.
The club welcomes on board new General Manager, Simon Tonge. Fellow General Manager applicants, Mark Agg-Jones and Lauren Austin have also been offered positions with all three able to bring something new to the club. Agg-Jones will take up a newly created Commercial Manager role, while Austin will become the new Matchday Operations Manager.
Talking to ctlfc.com, Liddle explained “Alex [Cheal, former manager] did a great job in re-shaping what was a real mess the previous incumbent had left, giving the club a sense of direction and meaningful results at tier 4. He’s now enjoying the early months of being a Dad”
“Tom [Davies, First Team Manager] lives and breathes the game. He’s challenged me more than any previous manager as the Club looks to improve in every area. He has recruited very well, and very young, with a 2 year plan to gain promotion.“
The latest additions to the Board of Directors are a stark contrast to the club’s previous attempts to improve its leadership, with Liddle attempting to step down 2019 after seven years of involvement at the club.
“You may recall we advertised the Chair’s role a couple of seasons ago with a nil response, nothing, not a single applicant. 11 applicants applied for the General Manager role, seven of which were superb, with three outstanding applicants – any one of which could grace the role.
“We’ve appointed Simon Tonge, 29, as General Manager. Simon is Head of Racing Sales at Newbury Racecourse and is a Men’s club season ticket holder. Simon will be reviewing our match and training facilities initially, with a much wider brief longer term.
“We also appointed Mark Agg-Jones, 47, a barrister and football agent as Commercial Manager. Mark lives in Dorset and is widely networked in the UK football community. Mark is keen to help us drive revenue, and will manage all future events, including project managing all future matches at the Jonny-Rocks stadium
“Finally we have appointed Lauren Austin, as Matchday Operations Manager. Lauren is currently an Operational Improvement Manager with Thames Water and lives in Swindon. Lauren has an MSc is Sports Directorship from the University of Salford and impressed us with her ideas to improve the matchday experience for all supporters.”
Liddle was overjoyed to have attracted such highly qualified applicants, believing it is a sign that the club’s reputation, as well as the reputation of the women’s game in general, is heading in the right direction and bodes well for the future.
“I am delighted with both how well the recruitment process has gone, and the extremely high level of talent we have managed to attract into these positions. Everyone is looking forward to working with Simon, Mark and Lauren on their new ideas and the future development of the Club”
Cheltenham Town Ladies currently don’t know when they will return to action, with the current FA Women’s National League season suspended during the third national lockdown.
