Andy Awford

Awford began his career at his home-town club Worcester City where he became the youngest player ever to appear in the FA Cup, aged just 15 years 88 days, when he came on as substitute in a tie at Boreham Wood. He went on to sign professional terms with Second Division side Portsmouth in 1989 at the age of 16, making almost 400 first-team appearances in an 11-year career. Awford was part of the "Pompey" side that reached the FA Cup semi-final in 1992, losing to Liverpool in a penalty shootout. In his time at the club, he also played ten times for the England under-21s. In 1994, Awford suffered a succession of injuries, including a broken leg, which kept him from playing for 14 months. He went on to play in subsequent campaigns, but further injuries throughout the 2000–01 season led him to retire from professional football at the age of 28. His last competitive appearance for "Pompey" came against Queens Park Rangers on 4 November 2000.

After retiring, Awford took up the position of chief scout and later reserve team manager at Portsmouth. In April 2006, he was appointed the first team coach at Oxford United under his former Portsmouth manager Jim Smith and in June 2008 became assistant manager of Bognor Regis Town. Awford resigned along with manager Mick Jenkins in January 2009. He obtained a UEFA 'A' Licence and worked as a PE Teacher in Petersfield before returning to Portsmouth as the club's Academy Manager in February 2011. Following Michael Appleton's move to Blackpool in November 2012, Guy Whittingham was made caretaker manager of Portsmouth with Awford appointed as his assistant. Despite being given only temporary roles, the pair remained in charge for the rest of the 2012–13 season. In June 2013 Awford graduated from The FA Professional / Elite level 5 accreditation. In November 2013, Whittingham, who had been named as permanent manager, was sacked and Awford named as caretaker manager. On 9 December, Richie Barker was named as permanent manager with Awford returning to work with the club's academy. On 27 March 2014, Barker left on mutual terms and Awford was named caretaker manager until the end of the 2013–14 season. Awford won his first five matches in charge to ensure Portsmouth would avoid relegation from The Football League. Awford subsequently won April's League Two Manager of the Month. On 1 May 2014, it was announced that Awford would be appointed as Portsmouth manager on a permanent basis…

Awford has a son, Nick, who progressed through the Portsmouth Academy and currently plays for Farnborough.

Individual League Two Manager of the Month (2): April 2014, February 2015