Steve Redwood Named New Chard Town FC Boss

Chard Town FC have officially announced the appointment of Steve Redwood as their new first team manager.

Redwood succeeds Andrew Holmes, who left the role at the conclusion of the 2025 to 2026 season. Club chairman Mark Parris welcomed the appointment and praised Redwood's enthusiasm, charisma and passion for the game.

Parris said those qualities should help the Somerset County League Premier Division squad progress in the upcoming campaign. He also noted that, despite external commitments, Redwood will be supported by a strong backroom team.

Redwood has a long history in local football. He began his senior playing career at the age of 16 with rivals Ilminster Town before moving to Chard Town in 1998, where he spent four seasons as an attacking left sided midfielder.

He later joined Street FC, but injuries and family commitments led to a break from regular football. He then had brief playing spells back at Chard and Ilminster.

Redwood moved into coaching during the 2015 to 2016 season at East Coker, where he worked with Nick Crittenden to guide a youth squad from under 7s football through to the under 16s floodlight league.

This appointment marks Redwood's first time managing a senior men's team, although he will continue his youth coaching responsibilities alongside Crittenden with the under 18s.

The Robins are looking to improve on their previous campaign in the Somerset County League Premier Division, where they finished 10th after winning 12 of their 28 matches.

Redwood will be supported by assistant manager Jason Manley, a former player for Chard, Street, Wellington and Frome. Manley also brings managerial experience from spells at Ilminster Town and Gillingham in Dorset.

Stuart Parris will also continue his involvement at Zembard's Lane after previously serving the club as both a player and assistant manager.