The Tampa Bay Rowdies have appointed Stuart Campbell to the position of head coach, effectively immediately.
Campbell, 37, has been with the Rowdies since Dec. 27, 2011, originally joining as a player for the 2012 season before transitioning to roles as an assistant coach and now head coach. In his first season with the Rowdies, Campbell played 31 matches as a defensive stalwart, guiding the Rowdies to the NASL Soccer Bowl Championship.
He held dual roles as a player and assistant coach in 2013, before becoming a full-time assistant coach last season and resuming that role this year.
“I have full confidence in Stuart’s ability to coach this team to victory,” said Rowdies principal owner Bill Edwards. “Stuart has been an integral part of the club since his arrival, and has earned the respect of his players. He will lead with the stability and unity necessary to win.”
“It is a great honor to be named the Head Coach of the Rowdies,” Campbell said. “I’d like to thank the Rowdies organization for the opportunity to coach a team that I represented with pride and won a championship with as a player. I look forward to leading the Rowdies to another championship. I would also like to thank the fan base for their support last Saturday night.”
Campbell, a native of Corby, England, spent most of his playing career with Bristol Rovers in the United Kingdom, making 288 appearances for the Gas between 2004 and 2011. He was appointed club captain in 2006 and led the team to the quarterfinals of the 2007-2008 FA Cup, the best result in Rovers’ history. In 2011, Campbell was appointed interim manager of Bristol Rovers with 12 games remaining in the season.
Campbell also played for Leicester City, Birmingham City and Grimsby Town in his career before joining the Rowdies. He also earned 14 caps for the Scottish National Team at the Under-21 level.
Campbell and his wife, Tammy, live in Wesley Chapel with their daughters: Olivia, 16, Poppy, 9 and Millie, 7.
