From the BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27143508 Portsmouth appoint Andy Awford as full-time manager Portsmouth have appointed Andy Awford as their full-time manager after a successful spell as caretaker boss. The 41-year-old met with the board on Thursday last week and has now agreed a one-year rolling contract to take over. Ex-academy boss Awford replaced Richie Barker on 27 March and won five out of six games, with the other drawn, to steer Pompey to League Two safety. "It is with huge pride that I am delighted to accept the board's offer to be the new manager," said Awford. He had previously taken charge as caretaker when Guy Whittingham was sacked in November 2013. Awford, a former defender at Pompey, was also once the youngest ever player in the FA Cup, at just 15 years and 88 days old, while at Worcester City. He made over 300 appearances for Portsmouth and has held several roles at Fratton Park, including chief scout and reserve-team manager. He will become their third full-time manager in the past six months. "I have accepted the offer as I feel the club is, after a year of laying strong financial foundations, now in a position to look ahead, move forward, go from strength to strength and achieve the stability it craves," he added. "I genuinely believe that the club is now ready to progress and the opportunity to lead it is a challenge that I relish and am absolutely committed to. "The rebuild won't be quick and simple, as unfortunately we are still hindered by the recent past, but the board have assured me that brick-by-brick, day-by-day, month-by-month, year-by-year, we will continue the good work that has been done this season and build a football club that we can all be very proud of for years to come." Awford added that he was "honoured, excited and thrilled" to be named Pompey manager and urged everyone at the supporter-owned club to stick together to help win promotion from League Two next season. "In my opinion, the only way we can achieve this is by all of us - the board, the staff, the players, the fans, the city - being united and maintaining the 'Pompey Spirit' that I know is unbreakable," he said. "The city must smile and when Pompey is happy this city most definitely smiles. "The opportunity to manage this football club is one I am extremely grateful for and it allows me to achieve another personal football ambition."
Buena Suerte Andy Awford and PFC!! Pity it isn't a five year contract but I suppose that is due to the monetary aspect of things. For true stability and progress to higher leagues a long-term appointment is essential. Hopefully you'll be back in the Championship in 5 years and perhaps if the ground capacity can be raised to around 25,000 in that period with possibly adding another tier to the Fratton End and the eventual rebuilding of the North Stand with facilities that can be utilised every day of the year, that would increase revenue streams and given PFC's potential fan base, which should be similar to Derby County's given the size of the catchment area, then who knows what could be achieved when you guys eventually make your way back there.
Andy's aiming for a return to the Championship. It's good to be ambitious, but not overly so: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27237490
Assuming it is a true 2 month 'rolling' contract then is an ideal situation for all concerned. It offers stability in that it always has another 12 months to run, offers protection to the manager in that he always has 12 months' salary in compenation if things don't work out, protects the club for having to get rid of someone on a longer term deal if things don't work out, and means that if another club comes along and poaches him they have to pay that 12 month's compensation to the club. As I say, if it is what it says then it is a sensible way of doing things for a well run club and an ambitious young manager.
A lot of fans were worried about what will happen if things go pear shaped and another Pompey legend (after Guy) is turned upon and sacked after a bad run of results. However, results hitherto speak louder than words and, after 5 wins and a draw, the board couldn't really not appoint him! I hope Andy will have some assistance (who from?) with scouting/transfer business so he can build a squad that will take us into League One (is next season being greedy/over optimistic?) and ultimnately the Championship, which for me is our optimum level (you can stick the Premier League money driven gluttons up your ass). PLAY UP POMPEY ANDY AWFORD'S BLUE & WHITE ARMY!
It's funny to think that we have Steve Cotterill to thank for bringing Andy Awford back into the club. Probably his best ever signing. The next month or so is going to be interesting. Who will stay? Who will go? Who will be brought in? What will he do with David Connolly? At the very least Awfs is acknowledging his inexperience so we could expect an older experienced head being brought in to assist in some capacity. I wonder if he'll surprise us over the next couple of months.
