New Tewkesbury Town manager James Coates has overseen a cracking start to the new year.

The Northern Senior League Division One pace-setters have won two out of two in 2025 to stretch their lead at the top to nine points, albeit their nearest rivals Whaddon United have three games in hand.

Coates, who has just turned 37, took over as boss from Harrison Ward at the start of last month after joining the club as a coach early in the season.

Tewkesbury have won 17 of their 18 games in the 16-strong division – they have a goal difference of 61 – and Coates is enjoying his first role as a manager.

He’s appointed Ryan Thompson as his assistant and he said: “It’s really good, we complement each other really well. It’s a great club to be part of, it’s a really good environment."

Chairman Marc Lane and vice-chairman Stuart Bailey are a big part of everything that is good about the club and Coates continued: “They are integral to the club, the work they do behind the scenes is incredible, they make my life much easier.”

Coates, who lives in Gloucester, is a former centre-back for Shortwood United and Cirencester Town. He retired after a second ankle operation and was out of the game for five or six years before returning as a coach with Tredworth Tigers last season.

“Becoming a manager was never something I thought I’d do when I got involved with Tredworth,” he said. “It was just great to be involved in any capacity.”

But now he is the main man, the one-time Marling School pupil is certainly happy to lead from the front.

“It’s been an eye-opener in a really good way,” he said. “I’m interacting with the lads on a daily basis, I’ve had to buy a new phone battery!

“But everyone has bought into what we are trying to do. We’ve got some big personalities in the squad and a lot of talent, the key for me is having the right attitude and a good work ethic.”

Tewkesbury host English Bicknor on Saturday while Whaddon, who have a goal difference of 31 but have yet to play this year because of the weather, travel to Rodborough Old Boys.

Tewkesbury won 4-0 at Whaddon back in August and are due to play them in the return fixture on Saturday 19^th April.