After winning the League1 soccer championship in early September, Simcoe County Rovers FC has announced men's head coach Jason Beckford and the club are parting ways as the squad begins preparations for the 2024 season.
The search for Beckford's replacement has begun, states a news release from the team.
“All of us at the Simcoe County Rovers thank Jason for his dedication to our men’s program over the past two years,” club president Julian de Guzman said in the release. “Jason has been a strong and positive leader for our men’s program.
"We’re grateful for everything he has contributed over the last two seasons. He guided the team to the semifinals in our inaugural season and was instrumental in bringing the League1 championship home to Barrie. We wish Jason the best in his future endeavours," de Guzman added.
Beckford began his playing career as a forward with Manchester City, where he played 12 times in the 1988-89 Second Division promotion-winning campaign. He then had brief spells at Blackburn Rovers and Port Vale Birmingham City in 1991-92. He ended the 1994-95 season at Millwall, before announcing his retirement after spending the 1995-96 season with Northampton Town.
Beckford leaves the local club with a record of 31 wins, six draws and eight losses.
His biggest achievement was winning the title and beating the defending champions on two occasions during the 2023 season. He was also instrumental in helping land professional contracts in the Canadian Premier League for former Rovers Khalil John and Ethan Beckford in addition to helping Allen Blegay a national under-17 call-up this past September.
The Rovers are conducting trials for its men’s program on Nov. 5 at Stewart Burnett Park in Newmarket from 9-11 a.m., while the women’s team trials will take place on Dec. 22, 27 and 28 at the Aurora Dome.
