The Shots are pleased to today announce the appointment of Barry Smith as our new Manager. Barry, 41, joins us on a one-year rolling contract having resigned as Manager of Scottish Championship side Alloa Athletic recently.
We are delighted to welcome Barry to The Shots, and also really pleased to confirm that he has asked Chris Barker to join him as Assistant Manager, following the great job he has done in the caretaker role over the past three months. We believe that Barry & Chris make a great management team and we are looking forward to working with them as they build their squad for next season.
During an extensive playing career Barry made over 500 appearances, including 359 games for Dundee FC in the Scottish Premier League, where he was Captain. His footballing career started at Celtic where he featured in two Old Firm derbies, and also represented Scotland U21’s five times.
Barry’s management career includes 4 years where he returned to Dundee FC, initially as U19 coach, before becoming Manager in October 2010 where he went on to lead them to safety despite a massive 25 point deduction that season after going into administration. The following year he led ‘The Dee’ to promotion back to the Scottish Premier League.
Since January 2014 Barry has been Manager of part-time Scottish Championship side Alloa Athletic, who he led to this season’s Scottish Petrofac Cup Final after the club’s first ever win over Rangers in the Semi-Final. He has built up extensive coaching experience over the last 8 years and now holds the prestigious UEFA ‘Pro’ licence, as well as all three UEFA ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ licences. Barry also has a great track record of coaching and developing younger players.
Confirming the appointment Shots Director Brian Bloomfield said “we were very clear at the start of this process that we were looking for a manager who would bring back what every Shots supporter wants to see – entertaining, attacking football that will see us challenging for the playoffs. Barry was a real leader on the pitch during his extensive playing career, and he really impressed us from the first time we spoke to him. He also comes highly recommended by a number of well-known figures in English and Scottish football. Together we are really excited about next season and beyond.”
Smith is already relishing the challenge of leading The Shots saying “I’m well aware that it’s been tough for Shots fans over the last few seasons, and that the football hasn’t always been great, so I’m delighted to be given the opportunity to put that right. I’m also really looking forward to working with Chris and can’t wait to get started!”
Shahid Azeem, Chairman said: “Barry is ambitious and shares our desire to see entertaining football back at The ESS Stadium, and he has great experience of developing younger players. I know supporters will join us in welcoming him to The Shots and we really look forward to working with him. I can’t wait for next season”.
We know supporters will join us in welcoming Barry to The Shots and we all look forward to seeing some great entertaining football next season.
