Football Women's Football

Slimbridge Town Coach Tom Deakin Speaks On His New Role At University Of Gloucestershire, The Season So Far And More

It is set to be a busy season for Slimbridge Town Assistant Manager, Tom Deakin, who has recently accepted the role of University of Gloucestershire Women’s Football manager.

Deakin helped guide UoG’s Women’s futsal team to a Varsity win against Worcester, and now sees this role as the perfect challenge following the success of the England Women’s national team at the 2022 European Championships.

“It’s a new challenge for me. It’s something different, it’s a growing game.

“It’s great to be a part of a game that’s developing now in society, after the Euros it has just started to explode! I think it’s quite a good journey to be on.”

After his time being number two to Slimbridge manager, Tom Speers, is is now Deakin’s turn to step up as the head coach, and has already started to implement his values to the young squad.

“I’ve asked three things of them so far. I’ve asked them to be coachable, to be committed and honest, and I can’t really use the other word I used, or you can’t print it!”

“Basically, don’t be a muppet!”

In Speers and Deakin, Slimbridge have found themselves a formidable duo, who work together both on and off the field. Now, this partnership is not just restricted to the Southern League Division One South, as Speers has also landed himself a job at the University of Gloucestershire, as he taken on the role of Men’s first team coach.

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They may not be working together as closely as they’re used to on a Saturday, but there are no plans to slow down their managerial momentum at their new University jobs.

“We’ve had a chat about the season and where and when the games are. If they match up and we’re both at home, of course I’ll be around.

“The same goes for training, we train straight after the men’s session so if I’m needed to help out, I’ll help out.

“As well as working with management, it’s about working with squads within the club to make this the best possible club at University.”

“It’s a good relationship on and off the field with him, I mean, we see each other more than we see our missus’!”

For Slimbridge, the managerial duo have enjoyed a satisfying start to the season, finding themselves on eight points after seven games and comfortably in mid table. However, The Swans suffered a 4-0 blow to second placed Exmouth on Saturday, a result that Deakin did not see as a reflection on how they’ve played this season.

“They’re very good at what they do, but it’s not great to watch.

“We probably had most of the possession but in the penalty area, they were clinical, and our problem was that we didn’t really create anything to threaten them.

“It was disappointing to go down the way we did because we’re not about that this season, that’s a little bit what we were like last year but its not what we’ve been this year.”

Slimbridge now look ahead to tomorrow, as they face Yate Town in the GFA Trophy, with the chance to progress to play one of Gloucestershire’s biggest teams.

“Saturday’s a set back but the fact that we’ve got Yate tomorrow gives us every chance to get a win on the board.

“If we win its an away trip to Cheltenham Town in the next round so it’s a big tie and a big opportunity to play at a decent ground against a decent team, we’re confident and ready to go.”

For Deakin now, it is time to prepare for another week of football, starting with the GFA Trophy match tomorrow, before The Swans travel to Paulton Rovers and the week is rounded off with his first game in charge of the UoG Women’s team, who make the short trip to Hartpury on Wednesday 12th October.

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