New role for Liam O'Neill at Rugby Borough Football Club

Academy of Football manager appointed Director of Senior Football at Kilsby Lane
Liam O'Neill has been appointed Director of Senior Football at Kilsby LaneLiam O'Neill has been appointed Director of Senior Football at Kilsby Lane
Liam O'Neill has been appointed Director of Senior Football at Kilsby Lane

Liam O’Neill has been appointed Director of Senior Football at Kilsby Lane from next season.

Rugby Borough’s new ‘Academy of Football’ manager will oversee everything in the senior section from the 1st team down through to the full time academy scholars, taking up the role on June 1.

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The former Blackburn Rovers and Cheltenham Town youngster has over 32 years’ experience in both the professional and semi-professional game as a player, coach and manager.

On finishing a successful playing career in 2007 he became Bedworth United manager and has since been assistant manager and head coach in the National League at Leamington, Corby Town and Nuneaton Borough.

O’Neill said: “It’s an ever evolving and very exciting time in terms of the senior section here at Kilsby Lane.

“The 1st team under Dan Carter’s guidance have excelled and aspire to gain promotion to Step 6 next season.

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“It’s looking promising at this moment so fingers crossed they can achieve it.”

He added: “My role is solely to provide support and guidance for our senior section teams. Whether that’s in terms of coaching, player recruitment or advice, my job will be for guidance more than anything.

“Obviously with my day to day role as academy manager here, it’s imperative that we can provide an unbroken player development route from our highly successful junior section, right through to our full time football education scholarship programme, allowing a choreographed transition into the senior section.

“Ideally all clubs would love to be able to field a 1st team full of local homegrown players, so this development gives us the best opportunity if we are to move the club forward into the higher echelons of the non-league pyramid, which has to be our key objective.

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“I know from my experiences as a manager it’s often a thankless task, and sometimes can be a lonely place, especially if results don’t always go your way, so I’ll be doing all I can to give Dan and his staff all the support they need for us to make good steady progress moving forward.”

Club spokesman Brian Crinigan said: “We at Rugby Borough have always progressed the development of the player at the heart of what we do.

“That means bringing in the best coaches to get the best out of our players and for them to be the best they can be.

“The appointment of Liam was an opportunity not to be missed and we have acted quickly to secure his services.

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“With a progressive senior section now being established at the club and with more adult teams joining next season, as well as the Under 21s, we all feel that the club can move forward in all directions.

“We look forward to working with Liam and his team over the coming years.”

Rugby Borough suffered their second defeat of the season at Ellistown, going down 3-1.

A strong wind gave the hosts a huge advantage and quickly went 2-0 up.

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The second half Rugby came more into it and pulled a goal back via Dale Linton

With Borough pushing for the equaliser, ninth-placed Elliston broke away and secured the game.

The Kilsby Lane side still lead the Leicestershire Senior League Premier Division by five points and have two games in hand over chasing Allexton & New Parks.

On Saturday Borough host Midland League Division one side Cadbury Athletic in the Birmingham Vase semi final , ko 3pm.

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Then on Monday under the lights they return to League action with Thurby Rangers the visitors, ko is 7.45pm.

Borough Reserves beat Desborough Reserves 2-1, with Josh Turton reaching 50 club goals to cement third place, while the Ladies beat Cookley 1-0 with Dani Statham scoring.