As people leave it creates opportunities for others to arrive. There was much speculation as to who would stand alongside Head Coach Becky Langley as Assistant after Andy Cook left to take the Head Coach role at Norwich City.
Well, now we know, as Newcastle United Women have appointed Claire Ditchburn as interim Assistant Manager from Championship rivals Durham, where she served as head coach last season. It’s another coup for the club ahead of today’s 1pm Sela Cup clash with AC Milan and the new Championship season after back-to-back promotions.
Prior to her spell with Durham, Ditchburn held an interim head coach role with Everton in the Women’s Super League towards the end of the 2022/23 season. She also had a spell with Manchester City as women’s under-21 coach between 2018 and 2020.
On her appointment, Ditchburn said: “I’m delighted to be joining Newcastle United Women at such an exciting time for the club. The squad that has been put together is a strong one and hopefully will be very competitive. I am really looking forward to helping the team continue the great progress that has been made in recent years as we move into the Women’s Championship next season.”
Manager Becky Langley added: “Claire brings a wealth of experience to the group from her time with Durham, Everton and Manchester City. She is a confident and knowledgeable coach who impressed me immediately with her presence on the pitch.
“She is supportive but challenging. She will help players improve and provide clarity to our process. I am very much looking forward to working with Claire.”
We're delighted to announce Claire Ditchburn has joined Newcastle United Women as interim assistant manager!
Welcome to the club, Claire 🤝#NUFCWomenhttps://t.co/Gkc4jIM0tS
— Newcastle United Women (@NUFCWomen) August 8, 2024
And this comes hot on the heels of another addition to Langley’s back-room staff. It follows the confirmation that goal keeping coach Chris Stygal has left The Club. Chris joined the Lasses in August 2021 as first team goalkeeper coach and worked with the academy in the same role for the 9-14’s.
He was present on the side lines in the back to back promotions and helped coach United’s Club Captain Grace Donnelly to successive back-to-back Golden Glove awards, a fantastic achievement.
Not just a good coach but a great guy off the field and a popular member of the team he’s not lost to the game as after leaving the club he’s taking on the role of goalkeeper coach at Women’s Super League side Aston Villa. A fantastic opportunity.
Chris posted this on his LinkedIn: ‘My tenure at Newcastle United Football Club ends as I have decided to pursue a new, exciting opportunity for the upcoming season. To be a part of the women’s transition to full-time and see players fulfil dreams of being professional footballers fills me with enormous pride.
“Two promotions, back to back & crowds of nearly 30k at St James Park will live long in the memory. I will always be looking out for the results and supporting from afar.
“I have learnt an enormous amount from my time with the women’s team and men’s academy. I’m looking forward to implementing the knowledge & skills learnt in a new environment. A massive thank you to all the staff, players & fans who collectively have shown what it means to represent this fantastic club.”
👋 Goalkeeper coach Chris Stygal has departed the club.
We'd like to thank Chris for his contribution during his time at the club, and wish him luck in his new role. pic.twitter.com/oWJ3IcyocX
— Newcastle United Women (@NUFCWomen) August 6, 2024
The Club have wasted no time in appointing Stygal’s successor with the temporary acquisition of Tom Read the Blyth Spartans goal keeping coach and coach in the i2i Soccer Academy. Tom is continuing in his other roles as well as helping Wor Lasses.
Along with Claire Ditchburn, Read will be helping new signing Claudia Moan as well as Grace Donnelly get ready for this Saturday’s Sela Cup clash against Serie A giants AC Milan at 1pm at St. James Park which kick starts The Lasses pre-season fixtures.
In other exciting news The Club have also confirmed the much-anticipated dates of the Tyne-Wear Championship Derby games against Sunderland. The first game will be played at The Stadium of Light on Sunday 13th October with the return at St. James on Sunday 23rd March.
United have also confirmed that the Championship clash against Southampton on Sunday October 17th will also be held at St. James Park.
