Page 9 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.8 2020-21

“I’m looking forward to working with Melissa and the playing squad to make a positive
contribution and continue to develop as a football coach.”
First Team Head Coach Melissa Phillips added: “Cori will be an exceptional addition to our
club, staff and team. Her energy and passion are infectious, and she brings a wealth of experiences
that will add value to the culture we are building.
“It has been abundantly clear through the process, that developing people and getting the
best out of players are her driving factors as a coach. I’m looking forward to having her on board
and the impact she will make.”
Chairwoman Diane Culligan said: “We undertook a meticulous recruitment process to
ensure we were making another strong addition to the first team coaching staff, and I’m delighted
to say we are doing that with appointing Cori. She will be able to offer the players an understanding
of what it is like to excel at the top level of this game and will help us to continue to push ourselves
and progress in this division.”
The club also confirmed the appointment of Sophie Bone as First Team Performance Analyst.
Sophie joins the club having previously worked in the Analysis departments at Southampton FC,
the England Amputee FA and the University of Chichester.
Melissa Phillips said: “Sophie is a bright, eager young analyst with fantastic experiences.
She is passionate about the women’s game and incredibly thorough and detail oriented in her work.
What separates her is confidence and desire to provide innovative implementation as she has
already been able to add value with our team and individual analysis processes.”

Matt Beard will manage Bristol City until the end of the 2020-21 season whilst Robins manager
Tanya Oxtoby takes maternity leave.
Oxtoby has been at the helm for two and a half years after taking charge in the summer of
2018 and will step away from her role temporarily to focus on the birth of her baby boy, who is due
in march.
Beard brings a wealth of experience in the women’s game, most notably winning back-to-
back FA WSL titles with Liverpool in 2013 and 2014. He has also managed at Millwall Lionesses,
Chelsea - who he led to the FA Women’s Cup Final at Ashton Gate in 2012 - and, until recently,
West Ham United. He also managed Boston Breakers in the NWSL and guided them to their
highest ever finish.

Tel: (0117) 9694544 Julian Barker
E-Mail: news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk David Potham
Website: Will Cheshire
www.WomensSoccerScene.co.uk Steve Gaunt/Touchlinepics.com
Twitter:
@wssmagnews Winners of the 2006
FA National Media Award
Editors:
Neil Brown Views expressed in articles in this magazine are
Mark Brown those of the subject and not necessarily those of
Contributors: Women’s Soccer Scene and its staff.
James Prickett (www.jamesprickett.co.uk)
Patrick Higgins Issue no. 790
Front cover photo: Nadine Hanssen of Aston Villa battles for possession with Emma Bissell of Bristol City
during their FA Women’s Continental Tyres League Cup quarter final (Will Cheshire).
Issue no. 8 - 14 January 2021 news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk