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Andy takes charge at Wednesday

Women's Football News 29 Oct 2009

Sheffield Wednesday are pleased to announce that they have appointed Andy Burgess as their new manager.

Andy has been involved in women's football for nearly four years, starting out as manager at Kettering Town before moving on to Nottingham Forest as assistant manager. Forest finished third in his first season there, before going on to win promotion to the National Division twelve months later. Their first campaign in the highest echelon of the sport saw them achieve their pre-season goal, consolidating in the top division. He then moved north to work with Rick Passmoor at Leeds Carnegie where he worked as Recruitment Officer.

He replaces Daniel Duke who has stepped down from the position. Despite winning the Umbro International Tournament during the season, Wednesday currently lie second from bottom in the Northern Division table and he decided to relinquish the role after seven years with the club. Dan said of his decision: "With the club perilously close to the bottom of the league, I feel it might be time now to step aside and let a new face take on the task. I believe it is right for the club and girls that I do this, before it becomes too late. I have lived and breathed SWWFC for seven years and it is one of the hardest decisions I have had to make in my footballing career. I believe that a new injection of fresh ideas might assist the team move up to their rightful position and hopefully that extra step into the Premiership. I would like to thank everyone, players and staff, who have assisted me in my time at the Owls as it has been a major part of my life. I wish them every success now and in the future."

Chairman Jeff Maslin commented: "When Dan stepped down, I knew it was going to be hard to fill his boots. I have known "Burge" since his Forest days and was absolutely delighted when he accepted our offer. He is definitely the right man for the job and it is a great compliment for us that he has accepted our offer as I understand there were a few other clubs trying to secure his services. I would like to welcome him to Wednesday and I am sure he will be an outstanding success.

"Dan is Mr Sheffield Wednesday, he lives, breaths and dies Wednesday. It is a sad day for the club but Dan has resigned for all the right reasons and it was with a heavy heart that I accepted. He only wants to see Wednesday succeed and I am sure he will be having a glass or three with me when we do. Legend is a word used all too easily but at this club he is one. We will all miss his voice and wit around the ground but most of all his selfless attitude when it came to Wednesday. Unfortunately I have his number on speed dial so I am sure we will still be speaking, only just not for the hours we did."

After the official announcement of Andy Burgess being appointed manager of Sheffield Wednesday, he made the following statement: "I am delighted and privileged to have been given the opportunity and cannot wait to get going, starting tomorrow night at training and Sunday at Leicester City. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time across Yorkshire at Leeds Carnegie, and the expereince I have gathered from the likes of Rick Passmoor, Julie Chipchase and Colin Walker has been fantastic. I feel I learnt my trade as Assistant Manager at Forest Ladies for two and a half seasons and now was the right time to take the step into the position of Manager. The phone call from Jeff came just at the right time and he sold the football club to me with what is already in place and what the visions are for the future.

"For whatever reason, things haven't been going to plan this campaign and I know it was a big decision for Jeff and the Club to accept Dan's resignation. I'd like to take this opportunity to acknowledge his contribution to the Club over the years and realise I have some big boots to fill.

"My role at Leeds took me to the game against Lincoln earlier in the season so I have an idea of the players I will be taking on - but its a clean sheet of paper as far as I am concerned and a fresh chance for the squad to show me why they should be in the team and representing this wonderfully traditional football club.

"I am delighted Liam (Kelly) has agreed to continue in his role as Assistant Manager and that Dan has said he will be on hand to make the transition as seemless as possible. Liam's knowledge of the players will be hugely important - never more so than at Leicester on Sunday where we shall be going to get a result and start as we mean to go on."