Dryden to join Glovers’ coaching staff
Richard Dryden is to join the coaching staff at Yeovil Town next month following the expiration of his contract at National League rivals Aldershot Town.
The former Bristol City and Bristol Rovers defender is reunited with manager Mark Cooper who has worked alongside him previously at five clubs including Notts County and Forest Green Rovers.
The 53-year-old was most recently assistant manager at Aldershot since April 2023 and was part of the coaching team which guided the club to last season’s FA Trophy.
In a statement, Dryden said: “I’m really excited to be joining Yeovil Town and to be working alongside Mark again. I know Toddy (Glovers’ assistant, Chris Todd) well and have had some good conversations with Sam Curry, the analyst, over time. I’m also looking forward to working with (goalkeeping coach) Matt Gould – his grandfather actually gave me my debut at Bristol Rovers when I was just 17, so there’s a nice connection there. I’m looking forward to getting started and beginning training with the players on the 1st of July.”
Fans will a good memory will remember Dryden being alongside Cooper in his first match in charge of Yeovil. The pair were sat in the stands at Maidstone United for the 1-1 at the end of October 2022 when Todd was in temporary charge on the touchline following the departure of Chris Hargreaves.
Cooper said Dryden was “an exceptionally experienced technical coach with a track record of really improving players.”
He added: “What’s more, he knows this division really well. His services were in demand so we are delighted he’s chosen to come to Huish Park on a long-term deal. He joins my excellent backroom team, working especially closely with Chris Todd and Sam Curry. I can’t wait to welcome Richard and hit the ground running when the players return.”
There is no specific title which Dryden will take that is mentioned in the statement, but Cooper’s specific reference to Todd suggests he will not take the assistant manager role. Dryden has assisted Cooper in 151 matches at their previous clubs.
In his recent round of media interviews, new owner Prabhu Srinivasan revealed he was looking to strengthen Cooper’s coaching staff.
He told BBC Somerset’s Jack Killah: “We might have a few more coaches with Mark to find a way to make the team as competitive as it can be.”