Andy Carr says he has been “honoured” to lead Staffordshire after stepping down as the county’s head coach.
Carr has been undergoing cancer treatment and has now made the decision to relinquish his role with the county club.
The 51-year-old was appointed head coach prior to the 2023 season – and guided Staffordshire to success during his time in charge.
Carr led Staffordshire to victory in the Twenty20 Cup for the first time in their history in his maiden campaign at the helm.
And he followed that up in 2024 with another trip to finals day, as well as coaching Staffs to the Division One East title and a share of the Championship crown after a rain-affected draw with Berkshire.
However, ill health has forced him to miss the majority of this season, with coaches Chris Milward and Pete Wilshaw leading the side on matchdays.
‘Huge honour’
Carr said: “In the 2025 season, I have not been able to have the active role I have always wished to carry out. So I feel it is the correct time to retire as Staffordshire County Cricket Club’s head coach.
“When I was appointed as head coach back in 2023, it was the pinnacle of everything I had always strived to achieve, and was honoured to be considered for such a role.
“This year has been considerably hard and I have not been able to attend in the capacity in which I would have wished, but I’ve always followed the games when not in attendance.
“I wish Staffordshire County Cricket Club all the very best in the future.”
Carr’s appointment marked the start of a new era for Staffordshire on the National Counties Cricket Association circuit.
James Kettleborough was also named as Staffs’ captain across all three formats after making the move from Bedfordshire.
The Checkley pair had got to know each other at Derbyshire where Carr coached on a part-time basis when Kettleborough captained the second team.
“When I took on the role with Staffordshire, it wasn’t a decision I took lightly,” said Kettleborough.
“There were two driving factors for me. One was to compete for silverware and win trophies and the other was to work with Carri who, for me, is one of the best coaches I’d worked with.
“Those two aspects really excited me and we’ve ticked those two boxes in the last three years, which is something I’m really proud of.”
‘Early success’
The pair’s aspirations to bring a trophy to the county were quickly realised with that T20 Cup triumph in the first season.
A brilliant 147 not out from Nils Priestley saw off Berkshire in the semi-final at Tring Park, before Cornwall were edged out in the final.
Kettleborough says that success was largely down to Carr’s early influence on the playing group.
“When I talk about that Twenty20 Cup win, I put a lot of it on Carri,” explained Kettleborough.
“It was too early in my tenure as captain to take credit for that. It was down to Carri and the environment he created and making people feel valued.
“The group we took over was strong, but just needed a bit of tweaking, which he did.”
Carr then sampled success in the red-ball format in 2024.
He had been diagnosed with cancer early in that summer – and the players showed a united front by wearing T-shirts supporting Carr in the three-day game against Lincolnshire at Cleethorpes.
And they transferred the work put in by Carr on to the pitch by enjoying a memorable Championship season.
‘More glory’
Staffordshire won their final Division One East game at Buckinghamshire to finish top of the table for the first time since 2019.
A weather-affected Championship final against Berkshire at West Bromwich Dartmouth then saw the overall title shared.
“We were really proud of achieving that first piece of silverware, but once you’ve won a trophy, you have a target on your back,” added Kettleborough.
“Carri always asked us to challenge ourselves and his ability to bring the best out of us was one of his strengths.
“To have that taken away from us as a group this year has been difficult, but it is credit to Carri and his values that Milly and Pete have been able to carry on his good work.”
Carr also worked extensively with Staffordshire’s under-18s and the Development XI.
Kettleborough says his influence has had a direct impact on him personally.
“Carri has made me a better coach, captain and player working under him,” said Kettleborough.
“For him to be able to do that speaks volumes about his ability as a coach.
“He has developed and improved so many Staffordshire players and that is part of his legacy.”
‘Significant contribution’
Staffordshire chairman Nick Archer said Carr should be proud of his achievements as head coach.
“Andy’s contribution to the club has been significant, especially the T20 Cup win, in 2023, and the shared Championship win, the following year,” he said.
“He should be very proud of the way that the players responded to his leadership during his time in the role.
“It must have been a very difficult decision to make, but it’s one that will be fully respected by all those with the interests of the club at heart, particularly the players, coaching staff and members of the committee.”
Head of operations Martin Williams added: “As important as Andy’s success on the field of play was, arguably his greatest legacy, in my opinion, is the pride and passion he instilled into the players in playing for ‘The Knot’.
“This was undoubtedly achieved by gaining the utmost respect of all those players and coaches he worked alongside.
“Andy held the position with great humility and I suspect underestimated the depth and warmth of feeling people had for him.”
Main image: Andy Carr and James Kettleborough celebrate Staffordshire’s 2023 NCCA Twenty20 Cup win. Picture: Alfie Shenton
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