Maidenhead United Women manager Dave Kitson is up for a Berkshire Football Award in the category of Manager of the Season (Women’s Game).
Kitson joined the Magpies in the summer after Ed Jackson-Norris moved on to manage Reading, and set about rebuilding a side that has now set new club records.
The nomination we received for the award said: “Dave Kitson did not have an easy time of it when taing his first job in football management in June last year. Not only was he taking over from a manager in Ed Jackson-Norris who had led the club to two trophies in successive seasons but he also lost a large number of players in the summer, most of whom understandably wanting to join Jackson-Norris at his new club.
“Recruiting Sean Hillier – coach to a Brentford side who have enjoyed consistent success – was a masterstroke and the management team have recruited magnificently to put together the club’s most competitive ever side at Tier 4. The team have already clinched a first-ever top half finish in a division packed with clubs with the resources to contract salaried players, whilst Kitson and Hillier have had to rely on their coaching skills to keep players engaged and committed. They have managed to retain almost all of their new recruits despite approaches from other clubs, with the Magpies unable to boast the resources to contract their players.
“Kitson may be the first to acknowledge that he has been pleasantly surprised by the attitude and professionalism that the players have brought into, thanks in part to the manager’s experiences at playing at the top level. He has admitted to having felt emotional on a number of ocassions this season when his team have gone toe-to-toe with the best teams in the division this campaign, such is the bond that has been forged between staff and players.
“The club were runners up in the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup to an excellent Ascot United side who have enjoyed a fine debut season at Tier 4. However, Kitson’s side have secured the points to say with justification that they are currently the top women’s side in the county, and they still have the opportunity for silverware having reached the final of the Combined Counties League Women’s Cup.”
Agree that Dave Kitson should be up for the Manager of the Season (Women’s Game) award? Or do you have someone else in mind? Let us know in the nomination form below:
