Devonn Reid has become the Pied Piper of Thames Valley football.
At least eight of the squad who helped Westwood Wanderers complete the Premier League, Berkshire Trophy Centre Senior Cup and Charles Twelftree treble for a second time in the 2025-26 campaign have followed award-winning manager Reid to Newbury Town.
It’s a fairy tale for Newbury but perhaps not an enjoyable read for the Tilehurst-based club whose record at their level of the game was probably the best in the whole of the country at Step 7.
Player-manager Reid could not have taken the Wanderers any further in the short-term future, and so he opted to take on a new challenge with Premier Division rivals Newbury, one of the few clubs in the TVPL who boast a ‘proper’ football ground and with a regular fan base of two to three hundred.
After another sensational season, Reid thought about stepping away and giving the manager’s job a rest.
“It was up in the air as to what I wanted to do,” he said. “But even before the end of last season, a few clubs were contacting me, and doors were opening up for me.
“At Westwood we want to go up a few levels, but it is a longer process than you would want it to be. Some of the boys are getting on a bit, and the longer we leave it, the harder it’s going to be.
There was also the chance of the younger talent going elsewhere.
“So, I thought, you know what, let’s have a new challenge and see if we can do it at another club.”
And it was ambitious Newbury, who attracted him the most.
“They are a nice, well-run club with a lot of good people in the background,” continued Reid.
“The aim is to get them back to where they were a few years ago. When I played for Highmoor, we used to play Newbury at a decent level of football in the Hellenic League.”
Last season, Town made a promising start, winning seven of their first nine league and cup games; one of their defeats being 0-1 at the hands of Westwood, with Jamie Porter scoring the only goal.
But losing players to injury contributed to a loss of form. and they eventually finished seventh in the Premier Division’s final placings, with 14 wins, 13 losses and a draw.
It was inevitable that influential skipper and centre-back Jamie Porter and several of his team-mates also wanted to stay loyal to Devonn, the Football in Berkshire manager for 2025 and shortlisted again this year.
He revealed he did not put any pressure on the Westwood players to switch clubs.
“I just offered it to the boys; I said if you want to come with me, it’s your decision,” Reid said.
“When I left, I said there were options there if you want it; just contact me. I left it in their hands. It’s not like I have stolen them; they contacted me and have come across willingly.
“It’s a good thing for me but not a great thing for them (Westwood) as it means they have got to rebuild and I wish them all the best. I don’t want them to crash and burn.”
Asked how that has gone down with Westwood, he replied: “I have not heard much from them, but I admit it’s going to be hard for them as they have to rebuild.”
With Reid now at the helm, the West Berkshire club hosted trials, and he said: “There were a few people who caught our eye.
Some of last season’s Newbury boys are staying, including last term’s top goal scorer Jake Allan and Player-of-the-Season Riley Cannell.
In addition to those players from Westwood, new additions include Ollie Brown, who was Burghfield’s leading scorer for two seasons running.
“He’s a good signing for us. I had been trying to get him for a few years, so I am glad he is now on board,” Reid commented.
Another new face at Faraday Road will be central midfielder Harrison Hale, who has joined from Wessex League Division One side Amesbury, while the highly experienced Jordan Cox will be back in a red and white shirt, having originally played for them in the 2018-19 season,
Devon will also sign on as a player, but quickly adds: “If there is someone who I feel is better for the job than me, then I will take a back seat. But I will be keeping myself fit just in case I am needed at some time during the season.
“As I said earlier, our main goal is to get promoted, but if anything else comes along next season, it will be a bonus.
“I want to see Newbury FC grow and give the town and the supporters something to enjoy. They are well supported with crowds of between two and three hundred, and we will be looking to bring in more.
“We want people to come to watch us and enjoy the type of football we will be playing.
“The money that spectators pay to come in will fund the club. We are also hoping to attract more sponsors. The aim is to make it an enjoyable season, on and off the field.”
Another boost for Newbury is that Carl Jenner, who originally announced he was stepping down at the end of the season, has decided to stay on as assistant manager.
Simon Harding and Nigel Claxton, both previously with Westwood, are also part of Town’s management, while Louis King remains as Reid’s head coach.
Dave Leno and Rob Smith, who were part of Jenner’s coaching team last season, have been appointed joint managers of the Newbury Development team.
More Thames Valley Premier League news and updates are here on Football in Berkshire.
