Trafford FC are pleased to confirm that first-team manager Tom Baker and assistant manager Keil O’Brien will remain in charge for the 2026/27 season.
The duo have committed their futures to the club as preparations begin for the upcoming campaign in the North West Counties Football League Premier Division, following relegation from the Northern Premier League West Division.
The decision ensures continuity within the first-team setup, with the club placing its full support behind Baker and O’Brien as they begin the process of rebuilding and preparing for the new season.
Manager Tom Baker said:
I am really happy to commit to the club for next season, I sat down and had a good conversation with the Chairman regards to how we move forward and what we needed to do to move forward. I think it’s really important that we reset and we rebuild and we look to go again.
On rejoining the club:
I feel like I came in on the 1st of November with the aim to try and keep the club in in the Northern Premier League West, which didn’t quite happen, I feel like we we’ve done a hell of a lot of good work and I feel like to walk away from that now would’ve been wrong. I feel like the club shown faith in me on in November bringing me in and trusting me with the role of trying to keep the club in the division. I feel like it’s only fair that I repay that trust in regards to trying to get the club back up next season.
On next season:
It’s going to be really tough, it’s a really competitive league there’s going to be a lot of other teams & clubs that are going to really fancy their chances in regards to promotion but I believe we can be really competitive, I believe that we can carry on the good work that we’ve already done. The first part that trying to keep the core of the squad we’ve got and then looking to build and bringing some new faces in the summer to enhance what we already have, again that’s not going be easy it’s a difficult time in the summer, a lot of players await other options a lot of clubs are trying to sign new players, but I’m confident that Trafford in the North West Counties is still or will be an attractive proposition for for a lot of players and here’s to hopefully a successful 26/27 season.
Speaking on the announcement, Paul Delaney, Club Secretary said:
We are delighted that Tom and Keil have committed to leading the team into the 2026/27 season. They have shown dedication and professionalism throughout a challenging campaign, and we believe they are the right people to continue taking the club forward.
Preparations for pre-season are now underway, with further updates on squad news and fixtures to follow in due course.
