Aitkenhead appointed as Men’s First Team manager

Royal Wootton Bassett Town are delighted to announce Jonny Aitkenhead as their new Men's First Team manager. Aitkenhead will be supported in the role by Dan Atkin and Rob Hopkins. The appointments mean that all three members of the management team have strong links with the club. Aitkenhead spent his entire youth career with Bassett before progressing into senior football with the club, making his debut under Paul Burke in the 2007-08 season. Aitkenhead, who is taking on his first management role, has spent the almost all of his career in senior football in the Hellenic League Premier Division. Alongside spells with Bassett, he has featured as a defender for the likes of Shrivenham and Highworth Town - where he was a key part of the team that reached the 2014-15 FA Vase semi finals. New assistant manager Atkin also featured for Bassett as a youth. He then rejoined the club last season in a coaching capacity in the youth section before taking on the role of assistant to Development team manager Mark Simpkins partway through the campaign. Hopkins is also no stranger to the club , having played for - and captained - Bassett, as well as serving in a coaching capacity for teams across the Men's Section. A UEFA B qualified coach, he also brings significant coaching and managerial experience in the Hellenic League having served as manager of New College and as assistant with Shrivenham. Commenting on the appointments, Head of Men's Section Rab MacLeod said: "We were all really impressed by Jonny, Dan and Rob during the recruitment process. It was clear to us how connected they are to this club and how passionate they are about making it successful." "They firmly bought into our plan about developing our younger talent and I'm really excited to be working with them." Chairman Paul Gerrish added: "The process of replacing Sam and Griff was never going to be easy.  After receiving multiple applications, we spoke to five strong candidates that we felt best suited the club. " "The package Jonny put together, aligned with his vision for the club, knowledge of the league and players convinced us that he was the right option." "We welcome Jonny, Dan and Rob to their new positions with the club and look forward to working with them in the seasons ahead."