GET TO KNOW THE NEW CHATTANOOGA FC WOMEN HEAD COACH.
Chattanooga Football Club recently announced that Tom Halsall will be the head coach for Chattanooga FC Women for the 2024 season.
The former CFC goalkeeper has had connections with the club for several years and is ready to write the latest chapter in his CFC story with the women's team.
Here are five things you need to know about Tom "Tommy Salsa" Halsall.
1. HE PLAYED FOR MANCHESTER CITY'S ACADEMY
Halsall spent the majority of his youth career as a goalkeeper in Manchester City's academy. From the ages of 12 to 18 he was part of one of the top sides in the English Premier League. He trained with goalkeepers like Joe Hart, Costel Pantilimon and Stuart Taylor on a regular basis during City's 2011/12 title-winning campaign.
Got great memories of being a goalkeeper for Manchester City Football Club, best years of my life #mcfc @mcfc pic.twitter.com/pVtrqZMEkN
— Tom Halsall (@tomhalsall1) June 16, 2013
2. HIS NICKNAME IS "TOMMY SALSA"
Halsall played goalkeeper for Chattanooga FC during four seasons, but it didn't take long for him to endear himself to the Chattahooligans. Let's let them take it from here.
#ThanksTommySalsa Story time-
1/ Tryouts, 2014. We're watching the session and spot a big GK who's damn good.— (@chattahooligan) February 9, 2017
3. HE WILL BE LINKING BACK UP WITH A CFC LEGEND
Halsall will be reunited with club legend Juan Hernandez on the coaching staff for CFC Women next season. CFC Women will be led by two individuals who fully understand the club's community-centered values.
4. HE'S ALREADY BEGUN HIS HEAD COACHING CAREER
Despite his young age, Halsall has been preparing to be a head coach for some time. He's spent the past two seasons as head coach of the Bryan College women's soccer program in Dayton, Tennessee.Â
5. HE'S A LIVERPOOL FAN THROUGH AND THROUGH
Halsall's connection to Liverpool goes deep. Not only is Steven Gerrard his all-time soccer icon, he also has a special friendship with the Reds' legendary defender and former BBC Match of the Day analyst Alan Hansen. When Halsall was 20 years old, he sent Hansen a hand-written letter asking to meet him and to get some career advice. Not expecting to hear back, Hansen wrote back to Halsall and invited him over to his house! Halsall now visits Hansen for a cup of tea at his home in the U.K. every summer.
