Weymouth appoint ex-Luton, Man City, Leicester, Oxford, Stoke, Peterborough player

Weymouth appoint ex-Luton, Man City, Leicester, Oxford, Stoke, Peterborough player David Oldfield as their new first team manager.

It was five days ago when manager Brian Stock left the Terras with the club in the bottom three of the National League after seven consecutive defeats.

The former Bournemouth and Wales midfielder, 40, took over at the Terras in September 2020, but this term, have won four of their 21 league matches and sit four points from safety having played one game more than the teams above them.

✍️Weymouth Football Club are delighted to announce the appointment of David Oldfield as the club’s First Team Manager!

Welcome to Weymouth, David!

Read more: https://t.co/9D5osDDCsX#UpTheTerras #WelcomeDavid pic.twitter.com/Gn5KUgGXYj

— Weymouth FC (@theterras) January 18, 2022

WEYMOUTH STATEMENT:

Weymouth Football Club are delighted to appoint David Oldfield as the club’s first team manager.

David signs a contract until the end of the season, with an agreement of a two year contract following this season. David arrives from National League South side Oxford City who currently sit in fourth place in the table.

David enjoyed a successful footballing career having played for several English clubs including time at Manchester City, Stoke City, Peterborough United, with notably longer spells at Leicester City and Luton Town between 1990 and 1998.

David has spent time as Academy Manager and Assistant Manager at Peterborough, West Bromwich Albion and MK Dons with spells also as Assistant Manager at Stevenage, Queens Park Rangers and Burton Albion. He then made the move to Oxford City in 2020 where he guided the team to a fourth placed finish in the league last season, before the season was curtailed.

Chairman Ian White: “Really pleased that David has joined us. I am really looking forward to working with him and together I am certain that we can turn the club’s fortunes around on the pitch. His pedigree speaks for itself and I know he will be up for the challenge.”

Non Executive Director Mark Palmer: “A big welcome to David. This is an exciting time for the club both on and off the pitch, as David brings with him a wealth of experience, knowhow and energy. This is certainly a new and exciting era for the club under David’s tenure-ship and I know he is looking forward to both the short term challenges and helping to fulfil the longer term vision of the club and building something special here at Weymouth.”

David Oldfield will take charge of his first match on Saturday in the Terras’ National League fixture away at Boreham Wood.

Welcome to Weymouth, David!

OXFORD CITY STATEMENT:

Oxford City Football Club can confirm first team manager David Oldfield has left to join National League club Weymouth with immediate effect.

The club is naturally disappointed to lose David but understand his reasons and respect it was a difficult decision for him. 

We would like to place on record our thanks to David for the work he has undertaken, with some notable unbeaten runs, FA cup and FA Trophy successes as well as consistent performances at the top end of National League South. 

The club has developed significantly over recent years with a fantastic infrastructure and this platform will help the team continue to progress. Andy Ballard and Ross Jenkins will take control of first team matters as a caretaker management team.

Justin Merritt, Director of Football at Oxford City FC, said: “David goes with our thanks and we wish him well for the future. He leaves the team in great shape and the club remains fully focused on our continued progression. There is now a fantastic opportunity for someone to come in and continue to take us forward.”

We are seeking applications for the role of first team manager. To apply please send a covering letter and CV to Justin Merritt – j.merritt@oxcityfc.co.uk. Application deadline Friday 4^th February. 

Twitter users reacted as Weymouth appoint the ex-Luton, Man City, Leicester, Oxford, Stoke, Peterborough player as their new boss…

@OCFCBR: We lost a good manager, a team from a higher division coming to get him proves that. Thanks for everything Oldfield, it was a great time with you at City, we wish you the best on your new journey!

@TerraStatman: Very pleased with this appointment. Could be exactly what we need.

@PaulKinsella67: Yesss… Welcome aboard David

@deccythomas96: Hopefully he’s decent. Up the terras!!!

@1AndyPurchase: Excellent! Makes a nice change to be appointing someone already with managerial experience. Welcome David! 👍

@lozherdman: A tall order to keep @theterras up but with 23 games to go who knows, an exciting appointment by the club – good luck! 👍

@SpursSouth: Welcome. I hope you are a miracle worker!! #UTT

@wfc_jtdog: super david oldfield

@ShaggerSean: David Oldfield – proper manager! #UpTheTerras 🔥

@les61hawk: I see this as a step backwards for him, he could of got Oxford promoted. He will now be back in the National South next season

@jack_brannigan1: A manager that’s actually managed a game of football before getting this job. It’s a miracle

@Ddoris77: Welcome aboard David. Good luck.

@somecaIlmejesus: Props to the powers that be in making the best possible appointment they could, his Oxford side very strong defensively (mostly due to Dudzinksi being the best keeper in the regional leagues) while also retaining a positional fluidity in build-up. Excited to see what he can do.