BANBURY UNITED | HOLLYHEAD GOAL

Simon Hollyhead has arrived at the Southern League via Scandinavia

New Banbury United manager, Simon Hollyhead, has experienced something of an unconventional route to the Southern League.

Appointed last month in the wake of the club’s relegation into the Pitching In Southern League Premier Central, Hollyhead’s CV boasts an eight-year spell in Scandinavia where he worked as assistant manager at three top clubs.

Spending four years with Swedish giants, Malmo, he then moved to Norway with SK Brann before joining Danish outfit, Odense.

“The time I spent in Scandinavia was my real education as a coach,” admitted the UEFA Pro-Licence holder. “I was fortunate to work at three big clubs over there and realised key things which maximise player performance.

“For me, developing relationships and understanding the expectations of the players is so important. Behind every player is a person and getting to know that person and what makes them tick is the starting point.

“From there it’s then about finding ways to allow them to express themselves and take their careers forward, which will not only benefit them but also the club as a whole. Fostering this relationship together gives us a better chance of achieving our collective objectives.”

Now based in Warwick, Hollyhead was waiting for the right opportunity to come up before stepping back into management.

“I have been approached for a return to management on several occasions, but the right project has never quite reared its head,” he continued. “When I saw the vacancy at Banbury United, I thought; ‘this is it’! The opportunity just felt right from the moment I started having discussions.

“I have been in and around all levels of the UK football pyramid since returning to the UK in 2021, including some consultancy to Step 2 and Step 3 teams, so I am ready to take on this challenge and it’s something that I am looking forward to.

“Throughout the recruitment process, I was continually impressed by the morals, values and quality of the people behind-the-scenes at the club, they are very much aligned with my own.

“As part of my due diligence I attended the final home game of last season and watched it amongst the fans. Their loyalty, knowledge and commitment to the club was clear; I listened to what they were saying and it sealed my understanding of where the club is at.

“I left that game feeling extremely positive; it wasn’t about the result, it was about building a picture and it made me even more determined that this was where I wanted my next role in football to take me.

“If we can all learn from each other, we’ll give this club the best possible chance of getting to where we want to be.”

IMAGE: Banbury United FC