New Assistant Manager
Posted: Mon May 18, 2026 6:10 pm
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Re: New Assistant Manager
Posted: Mon May 18, 2026 6:12 pm
Barrow AFC
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Barrow AFC are delighted to announce the appointment of Andy Taylor as the club's new Assistant Manager.
Taylor joins from SkyBet League One side Bolton Wanderers, where he served as their B Team Head Coach.
Back in the dugout alongside Adam Murray, Taylor will be a key member of the coaching staff as the Bluebirds head into our 125th anniversary season.
Born in Blackburn, Taylor was a product of the Rovers academy and went on to make over 300 appearances in the Football League.
Taylor’s final playing destination was AFC Fylde, where he eventually hung up his boots and moved into coaching with the Coasters.
He moved to the role of Assistant Head Coach ahead of the 2022/23 season, working as Murray’s number two.
It would prove to be an incredible season as the Coasters triumphed in the National League North with a points haul of 95.
Taylor would depart Mill Farm in January 2024 and head to the Toughsheet Community Stadium as Bolton Wanderers B Team Head Coach.
Last season, Taylor also stepped up into the senior coaching team along with Julian Darby and Andrew Tutte following Ian Evatt’s departure from the club.
Whilst in an interim capacity, Taylor helped oversee League One victories against Huddersfield Town and Northampton Town before returning to his role of B Team Head Coach following the arrival of Steven Schumacher.
Linking up together now at Holker Street, manager Murray spoke on the arrival of Taylor.
“I think it’s a big decision for me, for the club and the team,” Murray said.
“I worked with Andy a couple of years ago at Fylde when we won the league, and he was my assistant there and he’s in a good place in his coaching career.
“He’s been a manager for a couple of years with Bolton B, and I like that experience and authority, and I like working alongside managers and it brings a good balance.
“He’s got a lot of energy, a lot of hunger, and he knows the area well, and whilst he is an excellent coach, he is also an excellent person, and we have a really close relationship.”
Taylor also spoke of his delight at joining the Bluebirds.
“I’m really happy to be here and can’t wait to get started,” Taylor said.
“The Gaffer is somebody I have worked with before and had prior success with too, he’s driven, demanding and somebody who gives 100% every day and when he rang me, I jumped at the chance to work alongside him again.
“It’s a new chapter and something I can’t wait to get my hands on and hopefully if the staff, players and fans all pull in the same direction, then we can have an exciting season this campaign.”
Murray has also moved to bring in two new members of staff to the backroom team.
Sam Rush and Luca Nicosia also head to Holker Street as performance analysts.
The pair join from Kidderminster Harriers where they helped earn promotion to the National League as key members of the backroom staff under the stewardship of Murray.
The club would like to thank performance analysts Robbie Barrow and Ross Hughes, who departed the club last week.
Share
Barrow AFC are delighted to announce the appointment of Andy Taylor as the club's new Assistant Manager.
Taylor joins from SkyBet League One side Bolton Wanderers, where he served as their B Team Head Coach.
Back in the dugout alongside Adam Murray, Taylor will be a key member of the coaching staff as the Bluebirds head into our 125th anniversary season.
Born in Blackburn, Taylor was a product of the Rovers academy and went on to make over 300 appearances in the Football League.
Taylor’s final playing destination was AFC Fylde, where he eventually hung up his boots and moved into coaching with the Coasters.
He moved to the role of Assistant Head Coach ahead of the 2022/23 season, working as Murray’s number two.
It would prove to be an incredible season as the Coasters triumphed in the National League North with a points haul of 95.
Taylor would depart Mill Farm in January 2024 and head to the Toughsheet Community Stadium as Bolton Wanderers B Team Head Coach.
Last season, Taylor also stepped up into the senior coaching team along with Julian Darby and Andrew Tutte following Ian Evatt’s departure from the club.
Whilst in an interim capacity, Taylor helped oversee League One victories against Huddersfield Town and Northampton Town before returning to his role of B Team Head Coach following the arrival of Steven Schumacher.
Linking up together now at Holker Street, manager Murray spoke on the arrival of Taylor.
“I think it’s a big decision for me, for the club and the team,” Murray said.
“I worked with Andy a couple of years ago at Fylde when we won the league, and he was my assistant there and he’s in a good place in his coaching career.
“He’s been a manager for a couple of years with Bolton B, and I like that experience and authority, and I like working alongside managers and it brings a good balance.
“He’s got a lot of energy, a lot of hunger, and he knows the area well, and whilst he is an excellent coach, he is also an excellent person, and we have a really close relationship.”
Taylor also spoke of his delight at joining the Bluebirds.
“I’m really happy to be here and can’t wait to get started,” Taylor said.
“The Gaffer is somebody I have worked with before and had prior success with too, he’s driven, demanding and somebody who gives 100% every day and when he rang me, I jumped at the chance to work alongside him again.
“It’s a new chapter and something I can’t wait to get my hands on and hopefully if the staff, players and fans all pull in the same direction, then we can have an exciting season this campaign.”
Murray has also moved to bring in two new members of staff to the backroom team.
Sam Rush and Luca Nicosia also head to Holker Street as performance analysts.
The pair join from Kidderminster Harriers where they helped earn promotion to the National League as key members of the backroom staff under the stewardship of Murray.
The club would like to thank performance analysts Robbie Barrow and Ross Hughes, who departed the club last week.
Re: New Assistant Manager
Posted: Mon May 18, 2026 6:33 pm
Welcome aboard, Andy, Sam and Luca.
This is signs of the board letting Murray bringing in his own trusted team.
This is signs of the board letting Murray bringing in his own trusted team.
Re: New Assistant Manager
Posted: Mon May 18, 2026 7:16 pm
B-Team
B-Team
B-Team
Re: New Assistant Manager
Posted: Mon May 18, 2026 7:26 pm
Re: New Assistant Manager
Posted: Mon May 18, 2026 7:55 pm
Welcome to Barrow Andy, Sam and Luca! 
Re: New Assistant Manager
Posted: Mon May 18, 2026 8:14 pm
Yes, let's just be negative shall we?!!
Re: New Assistant Manager
Posted: Mon May 18, 2026 9:13 pm
Re: New Assistant Manager
Posted: Mon May 18, 2026 9:16 pm
Nah I'm suggesting the possibility that we're gonna have a B-Team.
Re: New Assistant Manager
Posted: Mon May 18, 2026 10:38 pm
Re: New Assistant Manager
Posted: Mon May 18, 2026 11:07 pm
A clean start is what I think was needed, total rebuild from top to bottom. We have that with a new manager and now assistant someone whom he has worked with before, good luck to both.
They know the league which can only be a good thing, important to back them and give them a bit of time it's not going to be a quick turnaround and we need to stamp out any relegation hangover that may affect us.
They know the league which can only be a good thing, important to back them and give them a bit of time it's not going to be a quick turnaround and we need to stamp out any relegation hangover that may affect us.
Re: New Assistant Manager
Posted: Tue May 19, 2026 9:06 am
Would still be a big improvement on the performances last season and we are in a lower league all be it with several other one time bigger clubs all trying to get out of it.Unless a blue bird wins lottery and assists that’s the best deal for now.Always Ultra wrote: ↑Mon May 18, 2026 9:16 pm Nah I'm suggesting the possibility that we're gonna have a B-Team.
Re: New Assistant Manager
Posted: Tue May 19, 2026 9:46 am
We seem to be getting a lot right over the last 10 days or so; after a fair few months of getting a lot wrong. Pleasing to see
Re: New Assistant Manager
Posted: Tue May 19, 2026 9:49 am
Totally agree. Looking forward to seeing which players we bring in over the next couple of months.HenneysKnee wrote: ↑Tue May 19, 2026 9:46 am We seem to be getting a lot right over the last 10 days or so; after a fair few months of getting a lot wrong. Pleasing to see
Re: New Assistant Manager
Posted: Fri May 22, 2026 8:54 am
Dose anyone know if andy Taylor is a scouser ? Just out of interest that's all 
