Former Portsmouth, Brighton and Stoke City academy guru moves to ambitious outfit after Southampton role
The Pompey boy, who grew up in Wymering and Copnor, has an impressive academy and recruitment CV - and has now joined the ambitious club on the fringes of Southampton.
Former Pompey man Dave Wright has taken up a key role with emerging non-league outfit AFC Totton.
The former Blues youngster and academy specialist has been named director of football with the new National League South outfit - succeeding James Beattie after his move to Reading as Leam Richardson’s first-team coach.
Pompey lad links up with son of Fratton legend
Wright links up with Jimmy Ball, son of Fratton legend Alan Ball, at the upwardly mobile club who currently sit eighth in the sixth tier.
The former Stoke City academy director is a Pompey boy, growing up in Wymering and Copnor and playing for the likes of Solent United and Widbrook United, before going into the Blues academy system as a player.
He worked with the likes of Adam Webster, Conor Chaplin and Mason Mount after his own playing days, in seven years as Blues academy coach.
The former Medina Primary School teacher later moved on to the Potters and worked as an academy auditor, before returning to PO4 as Head of Academy Technical Performance and Recruitment in 2018.
A plum role as Brighton’s academy recruitment head saw Wright move along the south coast, before most recently taking on scouting duties with Southampton. Now it’s Totton who are set to receive the benefit of Wright’s expertise, as he aims to mastermind Totton’s continued progress.
He told the club’s website: ‘I’m delighted to be joining AFC Totton at such an exciting stage in the club’s journey. The progress made here in recent years has been outstanding, and I’m looking forward to building on that.
‘Working alongside Jimmy again is something I’m really looking forward to. We’ve got a great understanding of how we want the game to be played and how to create an environment that helps players develop and thrive.
‘The aim is to continue strengthening recruitment processes, align the football pathway from youth to first team, and build a long-term structure that supports sustainable success. I’m excited to contribute to the club’s vision and help it continue to move forward!’
Wright ‘ideal fit’ for ambitious outfit
AFC Totton chairman, Kevin Hebenton, explained Wright’s blend of experience in youth development and contacts across the game made him the outstanding candidate to replace Beattie - who took on the role last year.
He said: ‘We are delighted that AFC Totton has been able to attract someone of Dave’s calibre. His extensive experience within the men’s game, combined with his proven ability to develop and implement pathways for young players, is exactly what the club needs at this stage of its progression.
‘Throughout the interview process, it was clear that Dave was the ideal fit for both the club and the role of director of football. We are pleased to have reached an agreement and look forward to the positive impact he will make at AFC Totton.’