Foxwell back at home in Rovers dugout

Many of our supporters may have noticed a familiar name in the Rovers dugout for our first team games this season, as Marcus Foxwell has become a member of Neil Mustoe’s coaching team but his primary role on his return to the club where he made over 300 first team appearances is a reflection on his Rovers journey started.

Foxwell, whose father Doug himself managed Rovers’ first team across three spells at the club, joined the coaching and management team in the summer having been appointed as manager of the Under 18s squad, who will once again play their football in the Cheltenham Youth Floodlit League this season.

For Foxwell it is very much a return home, as he started his time with Rovers in the club’s Under 18 set-up during the early 2000s and although the role isn’t one he was necessarily expecting as his next in his post-playing career, it is one he is rapidly growing accustomed to, having taken on a talented squad over the summer period.

“I am delighted to have been appointed”, he confirmed. “It is  not quite the role I saw as the next for me, but when the opportunity arose I knew it was the perfect chance for me to give something back to the club that gave me so much throughout my playing career”.

Having previously been in coaching and management roles at senior clubs, including Gala Wilton and Shortwood United, this is something of a departure from the journey the new Under 18s boss had been on to date.

“With the Under 18s it is something a little different from my previous experience but I have enjoyed every minute so far. We have some fantastic young talent at the club and, even more importantly, a great bunch of lads who want to learn and improve together”, Foxwell added.

In his new role Foxwell will be assisted by Matt Clow, who provides continuity having fulfilled the same role with Ritchie Warden, who was the previous incumbent. Warden has now moved into a role on the club’s committee, as Deputy Head of Football Development, and was pleased to be able to confirm the appointment of the new Under 18s manager.

“Everyone at the club is delighted to have Marcus take on the Under 18s role ahead of the new competitive season and having someone with over 300 first team appearances, plus managerial experience in the Hellenic League, he is a great fit to continue helping us build a genuine pathway for young players who want to play competitive adult football with Tuffley Rovers”, Warden explained.

“The committee felt this was the right appointment and we are looking forward to seeing the team progress under his leadership and we all wish Marcus and the players every success for the season ahead.”

Foxwell and Clow will also be supported in the dugout by Paul Smith, who was also part of Warden’s coaching staff, and Andrew Moody, who worked with Foxwell at Shortwood United and is the current goalkeeping coach with the Rovers first team.

Rovers Under 18s start their competitive season this Wednesday, when they travel to face Thornbury Town in the FA Youth Cup Preliminary Round (7:30pm kick-off) and then face fellow Gloucester side Quedgeley Wanderers in the first Floodlit League game of the 2026/27 season on, at Waterwells on 10 September.