Ambitious Thames Valley Premier League side Newbury Town have appointed former Westwood Wanderers boss Devonn Reid to lead the 2026/27 promotion charge.
Reid enjoyed three years of near total success with Wanderers, including the TVPL League and Cup treble two seasons in a row.
He announced he was stepping down as Wanderers boss in May with a statement from the club saying: “Under his leadership, Westwood has enjoyed the most successful period in its history. League titles, cup victories, historic trebles, unbeaten campaigns, record-breaking points totals and unforgettable memories have all been achieved during his time at the helm. Time and time again he raised the standards, setting targets many thought were impossible before finding a way to achieve them.”
Related: King of the Bosses to “King of the Buses”: Devonn Reid can’t stop winning
Speaking about his new manager, Newbury chairman Danny Langford said: “This appointment requires little justification. Devonn posesses one of the strongest managerial CVs at Step 7 level in the country, combined with a proven winning mentality and a track record that speaks for itself.”
He added: “To our supporters, this is a hugely exciting appointment. I have no doubt that you will give Devonn and his team your full backing as we continue to pursue our ambitions and push towards our goals together.”
There will be expectation on Newbury Town
Devonn Reid’s appointment at Newbury Town will bring expectation and eyeballs. An impressive young manager, he’s won the Thames Valley Premier League three times in a row as well as the League Cup and County Cup the last two seasons with Westwood.
Newbury will no doubt see promotion as the end goal, having applied to go up this season. They finished behind Maidenhead Town, who also applied. Promotion works differently at the level with the highest placed team that has applied for promotion in a Step 7 division, the team that gets promoted – you do not have to win the title.
A stumbling block could be Chalfont St Peter, who, it is understood will join the TVPL next season after relegation from Step 6.
Reid though, as I say brings eyeballs. Every story published about Westwood last season, and particularly Devonn Reid, generated impressive audience numbers for Football in Berkshire – particularly when shared on social media.
As much as promotion will be a key goal, rebuilding the club as a going concern in Berkshire’s sixth-largest town is clearly a big part of the project for chairman Langford and Devonn will only enhance that on and off the pitch.
