Time away from the game and a reason to switch off is important. For Sheffield Wednesday Ladies’ Andy Gilligan, his method of switching off is slightly different to others.
A 51 year-old data analyst at BT, by day, and Sheffield Wednesday Ladies’ first team manager barking orders from the touchline on a matchday, Gilligan has turned to other methods to switch off from football.
“My eldest daughter was a musician and a pianist, so I used to mix music to help her. I quite like anything to do with music, I’d like to think I have quite a good taste in music, so mixing and producing music is something I really enjoy.
“It’s quite a nice way to switch off after a match, especially when the football cogs in your brain are working for most of the day. I knew someone with a studio and so we thought we’d give it a go.
“It’s something slightly unique, but it’s a nice distraction for me when I’m not on the sidelines or on the training pitch,” said Gilligan.
It’s not just music mixing, however, where Andy is able to fill his spare time. Away from the pitch, Andy and his wife are in the process of establishing a dog boarding business.
🦉This week, we had an in-depth chat with First Team coach Andy Gilligan about his coaching career and the season so far!
— Sheffield Wednesday Ladies FC (@ShefWedLadies) January 29, 2025
Catch the full interview below👇https://t.co/4A9u3KWrXN#SWLFC | #OneTeam pic.twitter.com/CUOdJUgnJH
“We’ve had a dog for nearly two years, having never had dogs before. She’s a godsend in many ways and is the reason why we are starting to build our new business.
“At the moment, we are dog sitters. Recently, we had seven dogs to walk and look after. We’ve been doing this for nearly two years now, and it’s something which me and my wife both love doing.
“I get to switch off and relax, although looking after seven dogs has its challenges in itself! Even still, I sometimes still talk to the dogs about their ideal formation for the weekend!”
Gilligan got involved in women’s coaching again after a slight break when his youngest daughter Maisie got involved at Sheffield Wednesday Ladies.
“Maisie enjoyed the environment down there. I only had one season watching her from the sidelines when I was asked to get involved as a coach.
“For me, it’s about the development and progression of these players. With two daughters myself I feel I know how to communicate with the girls. To be classed as first team manager at Sheffield Wednesday Ladies makes me very proud.
“I’ll do this job for as long as possible, because at the end of the day, I want to develop these players not only as footballers, but as people as well. We have a great core group at Wednesday Ladies, and I want that to carry on for as long as possible.”
The side finished eighth in the North East Regional Womens Football League south division, with preparations well underway for the new season in September.
