Four seasons, four trophies, ninety minutes from promotion to the Barclays Women’s Championship, and now, Nottingham Forest Women and Head Coach Andy Cook, the FA Women’s National League Northern Premier Manager of the Year, have parted ways.

Cook, who took over at the club in July 2019, oversaw what was ‘the pandemic era’ of football and, in his two, full seasons, 2022 and 2023, led the club to fifth, then first place, respectively, was in charge for a century of games, the last of which was the Play-Off final loss, against Watford, in late May.

In what has been a busy past week at the club, the departure of Cook comes on the back of the club adding both a Women’s & Girls Manager, in Amber Wildgust, and a Head of Girls Academy, Dave Long, that duo adding a vast array of experience in the women’s game, to Nottingham Forest’s vision.

Just this past, mid-May, Forest followed up their National League title, and cup double-winning success, with the play-off final defeat to Watford, Cook’s hundredth game in charge of the club, the Southern Premier champions taking promotion after what was an immense season, for both clubs.

In 2022 Cook would lead Forest to a Nottinghamshire FA Women’s County Cup, and FA Women’s National League Plate double, following it up last time out, in 2023, with the FA Women’s National League Northern Premier title, and League Cup, the successes leading to his being named the Northern Premier Manager of the Year.

Speaking of Cook’s departure, Nottingham Forest’s Chief Football Officer, Ross Wilson, told www.nottinghamforest.co.uk: “The Club would like to place on record their appreciation to Andy for all his efforts over the past four years.

“Andy lives a long way from Nottingham and has committed to significant travel time during his spell at the club and we would like to thank him for his dedication.

“The Women’s team has seen significant progress both on and off the pitch under Andy’s leadership and we are moving forward into the 2023/24 season strongly.

“We wish Andy all the best in his next opportunity.”

As for the new additions at the club, Wildgust arrives from her last position, as Director of Football, of Championship side, London City Lionesses, having also held roles at both Aston Villa, and Watford, she working alongside Wilson in order to aid the progression of the women’s set-up, both on-and-off the field.

Long is the most recent of the two additions, he joining as the clubs’ Head of Girls Academy and bringing a good fifteen plus years’ experience to the team, the majority of which has been spent at Forest.

Wildgust, speaking of her own appointment, said: “I am delighted to join Nottingham Forest, as this club holds a significant place in my heart.

“Forest Women had a successful season and came close to earning promotion to the FA Barclays Championship.

“With a solid foundation already established, there is a great opportunity to build on our progress.”

Adding of Long’s appointment: “Dave’s experience and the successful track record of the boys’ academy in developing players for the first team, along with the history of the girls’ programme providing opportunities for young girls in Nottingham to play football, make us confident in our plans to establish a professional girls’ academy programme which discovers and develops young talent with a seamless pathway into our women’s first team.”

Keep up-to-date with all things Nottingham Forest Women via their socials, on Facebook and Twitter, and on their website here.

*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @NFFCWomen Andy Cook spent four seasons with the Reds.