Bedford Town have announced Tony Fontenelle as the club’s new assistant manager.
The experienced Fontenelle joins following a spell at National League South side, Slough Town who finished 16th in National League South last season, becoming Harry Smart’s number two in an all-new Eyrie dugout.
Fontenelle stepped down as Slough’s assistant manager on Sunday, 3 May as the National League South side embarked on a new management team of their own.
Affectionately known as “Yella” across the non-league game, those with intimate knowledge of the local football scene will know Fontenelle from his time as a player at Hitchin Town, Dunstable Town and a side the Eagles will most probably face next season in Brackley Town.
In the world of management, Fontenelle has managed Barton Rovers, and was also part of the setup that led Dunstable Town from step five to step three.
His time at Slough was also notable for decent FA Cup runs, reaching the second round proper last season, before losing to National League North’s, Macclesfield, who famously reached the fourth round.
Now he takes on a new challenge at step two under 28-year old Harry Smart, who was announced as the Eagles’ new manager on 5 May.
Read: Bedford Town announce Harry Smart as new manager
“Buzzing”
Speaking to the club’s media team, Fontenelle said, “It’s a great opportunity”.
“I received a call from Harry and he offered me the opportunity to come in as his assistant which I’m really grateful for.
“Bedford’s the biggest non-league club in Bedfordshire. And when a club like Bedford make an approach to you, it’s very, very difficult to turn down.”
“[We’re] buzzing to have Yella on board”, added new manager, Harry Smart.
“We’re privileged to have someone with his experience coming into the management team. He’s straight in and shown how much value he can bring in such a short space of time.”
Preparations for a new National League North season are now in full swing, with the division beginning to take shape after the completion of the non-league play-offs.
Morecambe and Brackley Town will drop from the National League into National League North, while Spalding United will also join after beating Real Bedford in the Southern League Premier Central play-off final.
Northern Premier League champions, Hebburn Town will also be part of this division, and will prove to be another mammoth trip for the Eagles alongside South Shields, who lost the play-off final to Kidderminster Harriers.
The full makeup of the National League North and South has yet to be confirmed, with attention turning to pre-season, which will also include the Bedfordshire Senior Cup final between Bedford Town and Real Bedford.
Read: Bedfordshire Senior Cup final to be played in July at The Eyrie
