Andy Awford
Encyclopedia
Andy Awford is a former football
player and currently Academy manager at Portsmouth
Awford began his career at his home-town club Worcester
, where he became the youngest player ever to appear in the FA Cup
, aged just 15 years 88 days, when he came on as substitute in a tie at Boreham Wood.
Impressive displays at left-back meant he signed professional terms with Portsmouth, for whom he went on to make almost 400 first-team appearances, and helped them reach the FA Cup semi-finals in 1992. In this time he also played nine times for England under 21s.
But his career is a prime case of what might have been. He missed out on the Cup final when they lost a penalty shootout to Liverpool
, the following season Pompey missed promotion to the Premiership
by one goal, and hopes of a big-money move were wrecked by a broken leg which kept him out of the game for 14 months.
His subsequent knee problems never completely healed, and he retired following the 2000/01 season, his last competitive appearance for Pompey coming against QPR on 4 November 2000. He then took up the position of chief scout and later reserve team manager at Portsmouth
. In April 2006, he was appointed the first team coach at Oxford United
under Jim Smith
and in June 2008 became assistant manager of Bognor Regis Town
. Andy Awford resigned along with manager Mick Jenkins
on 3 January 2009.
In 2011 he was appointed to the role of Academy manager at Portsmouth.
until his appointment at Portsmouth in 2011.
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
player and currently Academy manager at Portsmouth
Awford began his career at his home-town club Worcester
Worcester City F.C.
Worcester City Football Club is an English football club based in Worcester, Worcestershire. The club are currently members of the Conference North and play at St George's Lane.-History:...
, where he became the youngest player ever to appear in the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
, aged just 15 years 88 days, when he came on as substitute in a tie at Boreham Wood.
Impressive displays at left-back meant he signed professional terms with Portsmouth, for whom he went on to make almost 400 first-team appearances, and helped them reach the FA Cup semi-finals in 1992. In this time he also played nine times for England under 21s.
But his career is a prime case of what might have been. He missed out on the Cup final when they lost a penalty shootout to Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
, the following season Pompey missed promotion to the Premiership
FA Premier League
The Premier League is an English professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the English football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with The Football League. The Premier...
by one goal, and hopes of a big-money move were wrecked by a broken leg which kept him out of the game for 14 months.
His subsequent knee problems never completely healed, and he retired following the 2000/01 season, his last competitive appearance for Pompey coming against QPR on 4 November 2000. He then took up the position of chief scout and later reserve team manager at Portsmouth
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
. In April 2006, he was appointed the first team coach at Oxford United
Oxford United F.C.
Oxford United Football Club is an English association football club based in Oxford, Oxfordshire. The club play in League Two, following promotion from the Conference National in May 2010. The club had been a non-League side since their relegation from the Football League in the 2005–06 season. The...
under Jim Smith
Jim Smith (footballer)
James Michael "Jim" Smith is a retired English footballer and manager. As a player, he made 249 appearances in the Fourth Division of The Football League, representing Aldershot, Halifax Town, Lincoln City and Colchester United, and played for three-and-a-half years for Boston United of the...
and in June 2008 became assistant manager of Bognor Regis Town
Bognor Regis Town F.C.
Bognor Regis Town Football Club is an English football club based in Bognor Regis, West Sussex. The club are currently members of Isthmian League Division One South and play at Nyewood Lane.-History:...
. Andy Awford resigned along with manager Mick Jenkins
Mick Jenkins (footballer)
Mick Jenkins is an ex-professional footballer and former manager of Conference South side Bognor Regis Town.-Playing career:...
on 3 January 2009.
In 2011 he was appointed to the role of Academy manager at Portsmouth.
After football
After retiring from the game of football, Andy Awford worked at Ditcham Park School, Petersfield where he taught PEPhysical education
Physical education or gymnastics is a course taken during primary and secondary education that encourages psychomotor learning in a play or movement exploration setting....
until his appointment at Portsmouth in 2011.