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Langford will put heart and soul into new role with Rangers




Danny Langford is targetting promotion to Step 6 after he was appointed manager of Kintbury Rangers.

Langford, who was head coach at Hellenic League Division 2 East champions Newbury for most of last season, took over the reins at the Gers in March.

Hard-working, headstrong and willing to put his heart and soul into local football, Langford’s been involved with the beautiful game in West Berkshire since he was a youngster and recently retired from playing to focus his full attention on management.

Langford with two of his management team, Chris Collin and Glen Head
Langford with two of his management team, Chris Collin and Glen Head

Langford and his team of coaches now have the summer to recruit and develop a squad to challenge at the top end of the Wiltshire Premier League, where Kintbury will be plying their trade next term.

And Langford’s been looking forward to taking on the task with his characteristic determination and dedication.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity,” he said.

“We’re looking at bringing in some players but we’ll also be giving all the lads already at the club a fair chance.

“We’re working hard, we’re out there meeting people with the aim of getting promoted next season.”

As well as the first team, Kintbury will field a new development side, who will compete in the Wiltshire League Division 1, while the youth team will also continue under the tutelage of Jason Braidwood and Ian Passey.

Langford, who watches the under-18s whenever he can, is planning a pre-season that will include all three sides as he looks to promote players based on talent.

The new boss made his debut for Newbury’s first team aged just 16 and so understands the importance of giving youngsters a chance.

He said: “Look, if someone’s good enough, then they’re old enough.

“I’ve got no problem giving kids opportunities to get involved in men’s football and luckily at Kintbury we’ve got the platform to go and do that.

“There are some individuals in the under-18s we’ll be taking a close look at in pre-season.”

Langford, who will be assisted by Chris Collin, Matthew Pedder, Mark James and Glen Head, was persuaded to permanently hang up his boots – no doubt much to the relief of referees across the south coast – by the potential of taking the club up the footballing pyramid.

“I’ve got ambitions to go and manage at a good level,” he said.

“The foundations and the people at the club currently are unbelievable.

“I know I’m just starting out, it’s a new environment and one that I’m not used to.

“We’ve got good, honest people working hard behind the scenes for the football club.

“Everything off the pitch is there for me to go and help the team succeed on it.”

Some of that off-field work involves developing the facilities, which will be a non-negotiable requirement if the club are to get promoted to Step 6.

It looks like Langford’s new role will be different to his previous one at Newbury, where he was occupied with off-field matters almost as much as he was with on-field ongoings.

“My role at Newbury was unique,” he said.

“I’ve not got a bad word to say about anyone at the football club and I’ve got so much time and respect for all the people there.

“I can’t speak highly enough of the guys that are there and I hope they can help the club get back to where it belongs.”

Langford, who knows the level well from his time as a player, says Gers supporters can expect an attractive style of football next season as he looks to implement an approach that is both easy on the eye and yields good results.

He said: “We’ve got great facilities and we’ve got a massive green football pitch to go and play football on.

“We’re going to utilise that to the best of our ability.

“I think a side that I put together will play better on bigger pitches because it suits the way I want to play.

“I’ve got three or four brilliant people and their ideas are just as important as mine.

“I’m not looking for an easy pre-season, I want it to be a chance for us to improve.”

Langford, who counts Hungerford Town boss Danny Robinson as a close friend, accepts he’ll need to learn and adapt on the job but feels the future for Kintbury looks bright.

“It’s a bit like going into a darkened room, you don’t quite know what to expect,” he said.

“A manager is only as good as his players, so we’ve got to get recruitment and development spot on.

“Danny (Robinson) must be sick of my number popping up on his phone, he’s helped me out a lot.

“I’m eager to learn, I’m going to go over and watch a couple of his sessions in pre-season.

“The harder you work, the bigger the rewards.

“We’re all pulling in the same direction and I think the future of the club looks really exciting, let’s see what we can achieve.”



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