At a press conference today, MacCallum Barry introduced the key members of his staff at Uxbridge Town AFC. "I am very pleased to have these gentlemen here as a part of our team here at Uxbridge" said Barry. "I think the great amount of football experience and knowledge will serve us well in our short and long terms goals for the club."
The assistant manger was a familiar name, former long time Stratford United player and then assistant under Barry, Denzell Weir. The 48 year old Weir played his entire 26 year professional football career at Stratford United, amassing 708 AFPL matches played and scoring 336 goals in that time as a midfielder. Considered a coach on the field during his playing days, Weir was appointed as Barry's assistant manager immediately after he retired. After one year under Barry, Weir was hired as the manager of Northern London City FC, a job he held for 3 years before being sacked at the end of last season.
Speaking at the press conference, Weir did not take his new role as a demotion. "Working under a manager as respected as MacCallum Barry is a privilege to be certain" said Weir. "My focus is on working with him to ensure that our players and our staff are prepared for each and every match, and I do feel like my previous manager experience will be valuable in that aim. I have had a good working relationship with Coach Barry for many years, and I am excited to work with him again this season."
Perhaps the biggest surprise was the hiring of legendary striker Vito Iniesta as Uxbridge's new first team coach. The 44 year old Iniesta played the first 5 years of his 15 year professional career at Stratford United, scoring 162 goals in 126 games for Stratford and winning the golden boot and golden ball awards in his final season there. His final 10 years were spent at various French League clubs. For the last 10 years, Iniesta has been a key figure in the national team for his native Mexico, serving as a former manager of the national U18 team, and most recently an assistant for the senior team.
At goalkeeping coach, manager Barry chose 40 year old former AFPL goalkeeper Robert MacFetridge. MacFetridge followed a 14 year career as a professional goalkeeper with a few coaching stints around the league. He spent the last four seasons at Dulwich AFC as that club's goalkeeping coach.
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