Ascot United confirmed John Swallow would be stepping down from his role as manager the Women’s Phoenix squad, formerly the Reserves, after three seasons in charge of the Yellas.
He joined the Ascot women’s section as a coach in the 2019/20 season from Laurel Park, before taking over the role as manager of the Reserves side in 2020/21 to navigate the squad’s journey in Division Three East taking them from an eighth place finish to third place in his first season in charge.
He guided them to incredible accomplishment with back to back promotions during his tenure from Three East to Division One of the Thames Valley Counties Women’s Football League and into the Southern Region Women’s Football League for the first time in the team’s history.
Related: Trio of triumph as Ascot, S4K and Shinfield all secured TVCWFL titles
Swallow lead the team to an unbeaten streak of more than 30 games stretching back to November of 2020 before the team fell foul to defeats at the hands of eventual runners-up Tilehurst Panthers in the 2022/23 season, a remarkable achievement for himself and the squad. He also guided them through 18 wins from 18 games in the 2021/22 season which secured the Three East title with ease. A jump to Division One of the TVCWFL is no mean feat for any squad but the Swallow and the Yellas did so with prowess securing their second title in as many seasons.
John has also been a crucial part of the success of the Berkshire County Girl’s Football League assuming the role of Fixtures Secretary & Discipline Officer.
He’s no stranger to success having won the ‘Senior Referee of the Year’ for the 2021/22 season at the BCGFL end of year awards and being shortlisted for ‘Manager of the Year’ in the 2022 edition of the Berkshire Football Awards. As well as the Berkshire County Girl’s Football League picking up ‘Grassroots League of the Year’ at the Berks & Bucks Grassroots Football Awards 2020.
