Staffordshire have confirmed their new coaching set-up ahead of the 2026 National Counties Cricket Association season.
Chris Milward, who is Staffordshire Cricket’s head of performance, has been named as the new head coach.
He will be assisted by former Staffs batsman Pete Wilshaw.
The duo are no strangers to coaching after helping with the county’s winter training programme in recent times.
They also fulfilled matchday duties in the 2025 season as Andy Carr was unable to attend the majority of matches as he battled against cancer.
Carr stepped down as head coach towards the end of the summer and, sadly, passed away – at the age of 51 – in September.
Milward and Wilshaw will now take over coaching duties permanently for an initial two-year period, working alongside captain James Kettleborough.
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Milward said: “I’m really looking forward to continuing working with Pete and the players. That was a major factor in my decision to take on the role permanently.
“I wish the circumstances were different, but it’s an honour to be asked to take on the role of head coach.
‘Looking forward’
“The work of Carri and Ketts over the past three years has been exceptional. We will be looking to build further on that and ensure some continuity rather than starting again which we see absolutely no need to do.
“We want to continue building an environment that people want to be a part of. And ensure that our processes are as good as they can possibly be.”
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Milward and Wilshaw have been quickly into coaching action with the winter programme.
Milward, who has enjoyed plenty of success in helping to develop players through the county pathway, added: “A smaller group of players came back in November to receive some individualised support, and we welcome a wider group after Christmas which I am really looking forward to.
“We have already spoken to the players about the importance of us all continuously looking to improve, including me and Pete as coaches and we are working hard to ensure that this is possible.”
Wilshaw will continue to use his vast experience to help Staffordshire to move forward.
He retired at the end of the 2023 season having played 98 Championship matches for the county.
Wilshaw then returned to make his 99th appearance last season against Cambridgeshire at Peterborough.
Wilshaw scored 5,894 runs for Staffordshire after making his debut as a 16-year-old in a Championship match against Suffolk at Ransomes back in 2004. He also took 11 wickets.
He made his one-day bow the following season. Wilshaw scored almost 2,000 runs in limited-overs cricket.
‘Coaching education’
During his career, Wilshaw helped Staffordshire to divisional titles, an overall Championship crown and their first-ever Twenty20 Cup success.
He said: “I am pleased to be asked to carry on in a coaching capacity with Staffs.
“Everyone knows what the county means to me and I was honoured to be able to play for Staffordshire for as long as I did.
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“Some of my best cricket memories have been on Staffs duty. Hopefully they can be replicated from a coaching perspective.
“I’m still relatively new to coaching. But I’m looking forward to continuing learning alongside Milly and Ketts to bring further success to the county.”
‘County stability’
Staffordshire cricket committee chairman Richard Harvey says he is pleased Milward and Wilshaw accepted their roles.
“I’m delighted with the appointment of Chris and Pete to the head coach and assistant coach positions on a permanent basis,” said former Staffs skipper Harvey.
“They have been an integral part of the coaching team for the past 12-18 months and have developed excellent working relationships with the senior squad.
“With the posts being a minimum two-year term it gives the squad the stable leadership it needs to succeed. Their shared values, coaching ethos and knowledge of National Counties cricket ensures the county is in safe hands.
“I’m looking forward to seeing how both the first and second teams progress through this winter programme and over the coming seasons.”
Meanwhile, Staffordshire’s development side has been renamed and will now be known as the ‘second XI’.
Head coach Milward will lead the side, alongside his first-team duties, with Kettleborough being his assistant.
Main image: Chris Milward has been appointed as Staffordshire’s new head coach. Picture: David Peters