‘This is a major appointment’ – Brackley surprise fans after announcing their new manager

‘This is a major appointment’ – Brackley surprise fans after announcing their new manager Andy Whing late on Tuesday night.

The 41-year-old comes in as replacement for Gavin Cowan, who left St James Park on the 29th of January to take charge of League Two side Shrewsbury Town. More on that HERE.

Whing’s last job was at Barrow, but left in December 2025 with the club sitting 18th in League Two after a run of six games without a win.

Brackley, in their first season at National League level, currently sit 15th in the table, with 36 points from 30 games played, and are 6 points above the drop zone. They are unbeaten in their past eight league games.

🗞️ Brackley Town Football Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Andy Whing as the club’s new First Team Manager.https://t.co/4OE071kDjd#WeAreBrackley 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/3sJnKxrh3F

— Brackley Town FC (@BrackleyTownFC) February 17, 2026

CLUB STATEMENT:

Brackley Town Football Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Andy Whing as the club’s new First Team Manager.

Whing joins the Saints with significant National League experience. Prior to his recent spell at Barrow AFC, he spent 19 months in charge of Solihull Moors, guiding the Moors to the 2024 National League play-off final. Solihull were narrowly denied promotion to the EFL, losing on penalties to Bromley.

In the same season, Whing also led Solihull to the 2024 FA Trophy Final at Wembley, where they were again edged out on penalties, this time by Gateshead.

Before his time at Solihull, Whing took charge of near neighbours Banbury United, where he secured promotion to the National League North for the first time in the club’s history. In their debut season at that level, Banbury achieved a mid-table finish, with attendances rising significantly during his tenure at the Spencer Stadium.

Whing’s earlier coaching career included roles with Oxford United, Coventry City, Kidderminster Harriers and Hereford before stepping into his first managerial position.

As a player, Whing began his professional career with Coventry City, making 119 appearances for the Sky Blues. He later joined Brighton & Hove Albion, where he featured 125 times. Further spells followed with Oxford United, Leyton Orient and Chesterfield before injury brought his playing career to a close in 2015.

Brackley Town Chairman Matt Wise said:
“This is a major appointment for the club. Andy has the experience and the attributes to establish the team in the National League and to take the team forward. Andy has been appointed after a thorough recruitment process and from a strong field and will take training this week in preparation for Saturday’s home game against Southend United.”

Andy Whing said:
“I’m delighted to be here at this football club. I’m really looking forward to meeting everybody come Saturday and I think if anyone knows me, I wear my heart on my sleeve. I’m really passionate, I’m ambitious and I’m really looking forward to getting going and hopefully we can have a winning start on Saturday.”

Whing will begin work immediately and oversee preparations for Saturday’s home fixture against Southend United.

Everyone at Brackley Town welcomes Andy to the club and looks forward to the next chapter under his leadership.

#WeAreBrackley

Here’s how fans reacted as Brackley surprises fans after announcing their new manager Andy Whing…

@realguysmith: Thank you so much to Gaz and Ali for their brilliant work between Gav and Andy 👏 Welcome Andy! The frontrunner all along 😁

@a_jd__: Perfect for the club. Lets go secure a good finish in the league

@CalTalksNL: What an appointment

@More2Pcgamer: Former Oxford Midfielder, good luck to Andy

@72jamesk: Great appointment for you guys good luck Whingy..!💛💙

@ChrisCooper_22: That is an exceptional piece of business

@AyersDesley: You’ve just made Archie a very happy young man. Welcome to Brackley Town Andy Whing

@ShureySteve: Welcome Whingy! Let’s continue this unbeaten run, see you Saturday!

@DamianReynold16: Good luck Andy 💙🤍

@banhambtfc: What a appointment that is! Let’s keep unbeaten run

@CalTalksNL: That is the best appointment Brackley could have made. Whingy’s record as a manager is outstanding. Took Solihull to Wembley twice in his debut season. Now has EFL experience. Really like the way Brackley have adapted to the National League across the board. #WeAreBrackley🔴

@MrGreenhow: Good luck Andy from a Barrow fan. Probably see you next season the way things are going!

@MW_SMFC: That’s a great appointment, you’ll most definitely be safe.

@nedbh: Fair play that is a huuuuge appointment for them

@CallumHallett6: 👌 Probably the perfect appointment #WeAreBrackley could have made; Andy Whing did a sublime job @ Solihull + an okay job @ Barrow considering the lack of ambition. He’ll keep Brackley in the Division, and they may well push on next season too. 👀

@ShaffnerCameron: YES! The absolute right appointment – amazing news. Buzzing with this! 👏

@BellBigbella: Good Luck Andy, you were well and truly shafted at Barrow…

@TommyH_1985: What an appointment that is! 👏🏻

@Salop_Nathan: For a NL team that’s a proper solid appointment. Was always gonna be hard for em to replace gav but they’ve done a solid there

@Makepeace1905: Holy shit that’s huge!!

@TeeGee60518810: That’s some appointment. You should be safe now.

Superb pick.

Whing is an #EFL manager. For Brackley to be able to get him in the NL is a major coup.

Did a superb job @ #SMFC and #BanburyUnited. He is a hugely talented coach.

Personable, humble, intelligent, articulate and he’s good at building culture.

Like it a lot. https://t.co/o28HNDFor6 pic.twitter.com/RJBTJQgKsB

— Off The Line Blog (@OffTheLineBlog) February 17, 2026