Bolton Wanderers Women are delighted to officially confirm their coaching staff.
Myles Smith’s side have started the league campaign in perfect fashion since moving under club operations ahead of this season, winning their opening seven games – with a 9-0 victory in their last outing – to top the table at this early stage.
With the first team squad continuing their hard work on-the-field, Wanderers are delighted to now confirm their coaching staff as the 2024/25 campaign continues…
Assistant Manager - Carl Halliwell
Carl takes up his role as Assistant Manager of Bolton Wanderers Women with a wealth of knowledge and experience of the Women’s game across the local area.
Starting his coaching journey over a decade ago with Atherton Town and their junior boys’ teams, Carl helped to set up Bolton Wanderers Girls FC under the name of Bolton Wanderers in the Community.
Growing this setup from an initial one age group to seven before the First Team and Reserves were formed, Carl played an integral part in creating a pathway for girls in Bolton to play football, doubling up all this work with his role within BWitC as Head of Female Football.
With experience working at Manchester City's Pro Game Academy before becoming Bolton Wanderers Women’s Manager for the 2023/24 season, Carl is also the Head Coach of both Bolton Wanderers Girls U16s and Bolton Wanderers U21 College Programme.
Now linking up with Myles Smith and forming a great duo in his role as Assistant Manager, Carl is a vital member of the first team setup.
First Team Coach – Tom Cunniff
Tom continues his association with the Football Club in taking this role on with Bolton Wanderers Women.
With vast experience coaching within the Bolton Wanderers Girls setup for a number of years whilst under the operation of Bolton Wanderers in the Community, Tom plays a huge part in the work both on and off-the-field, helping to drive standards and quality to the group on a weekly basis.
In terms of Tom’s coaching pathway thus far, he carries experience of coaching in the club’s Development Centres that continue to run, along with being part of the Bolton Wanderers Girls EDS programme.
Alongside this, it has been steady, forward progression for Tom in terms of his career pathway, He has coached at a number of levels and has made the step up from the U18s, to the Reserves and now to the First Team – emphasising his commitment to coaching and improving girls' football within the Bolton area.
Goalkeeping Coach - Giuseppe Emma
Giuseppe arrives at the club with both a wealth of experience and qualifications that will no doubt enhance the goalkeeping department at Bolton Wanderers Women.
Starting his football coaching journey with many grassroots clubs in Italy whilst learning his trade, Giuseppe’s drive and determination has seen him move to England and forge an established career within the game – with qualifications in both a coaching and non-sporting capacity supplementing his attitude to improving players both on and off-the-field.
After being made redundant following the pandemic, Giuseppe set up his own Goalkeeping School in Norfolk – where he worked previously at Norwich City as a Sports Coach – helping young players reach their full potential under his stewardship.
With his CV also boasting a number of impressive job roles since, including time spent in the top levels of Women’s football in the form Charlton Athletic Women and London City Lionesses as well as roles with the FA and Liverpool FC, Giuseppe has become a vital part of the backroom staff as Wanderers Women look to continue their early season success.
Lead Physiotherapist – Ashley New
Graduating from the University of Bolton in 2023 with a Sports Rehabilitation degree, Ash joins Bolton Wanderers Women with medical experience in both a sport and non-sporting environment.
Spending a year working with Blackpool FC’s men’s first team alongside his studies, Ash was then offered a role within the Academy setup at the Seasiders following his graduation.
With time also spent in a private clinic away from football alongside his work for Blackpool FC, Ash joined Wanderers’ academy in February of this year. Following the move of the Women’s team to be under club operations, Ash was offered the role of Lead Physiotherapist and be part of this exciting new era for Bolton Wanderers Women.
Myles Smith, Manager of Bolton Wanderers Women, said: “I am delighted to finally confirm my coaching staff and get them in place as the season continues.
“All four bring a range of individual qualities that will only help us to get closer to what we want to achieve in this upcoming campaign.
“As any manager will tell you, you can’t do this job on your own. You need quality people around you to help bring your vision and philosophies to life, and in this coaching team I am extremely confident they can help to drive standards within the playing group to help us achieve our goals.
“I’d like to personally thank Carl, Tom, Giuseppe and Ash for all of their efforts already and look forward to working with them across this season.”