Bolton Wanderers’ B team head coach Andy Taylor has joined Barrow as assistant manager to new boss Adam Murray.
Born in Blackburn, Taylor was a product of the Rovers academy and went on to make over 300 appearances in the Football League.
Taylor’s final playing destination was AFC Fylde, where he eventually hung up his boots and moved into coaching with the Coasters.
His move to Barrow reunites him with Murray as he worked as his number two with Fylde in 2022/23.
That was a remarkable season for the Lancashire side as they won National League North with a points haul of 95.
Taylor left in January 2024 to take up the role of B team head coach with Bolton Wanderers.
Last season, Taylor also stepped up into the senior coaching team along with Julian Darby and Andrew Tutte following Ian Evatt’s departure from the club.
Whilst in an interim capacity, Taylor helped oversee League One victories against Huddersfield Town and Northampton Town before returning to his role of B Team head coach following the arrival of Steven Schumacher.
On their reunion at Barrow, new manager Murray said: “I think it’s a big decision for me, for the club and the team.
“I worked with Andy a couple of years ago at Fylde when we won the league, and he was my assistant there and he’s in a good place in his coaching career.
“He’s been a manager for a couple of years with Bolton B, and I like that experience and authority, and I like working alongside managers and it brings a good balance.
“He’s got a lot of energy, a lot of hunger, and he knows the area well, and whilst he is an excellent coach, he is also an excellent person, and we have a really close relationship.”
Taylor said: “The Gaffer is somebody I have worked with before and had prior success with. He’s driven, demanding and somebody who gives 100% every day and when he rang me, I jumped at the chance to work alongside him again.
“It’s a new chapter and something I can’t wait to get my hands on and hopefully if the staff, players and fans all pull in the same direction, then we can have an exciting season this campaign.”
Sam Rush and Luca Nicosia also head to Holker Street as performance analysts after joining from Kidderminster Harriers where they helped earn promotion to the National League as key members of the backroom staff under Murray.
Previous performance analysts Robbie Barrow and Ross Hughes left the club last week.
