Luke Garrard

Luke Garrard (born 22 September 1985) is an English professional football manager and former player who last managed National League club Boreham Wood.

Career
Garrard started his career as a trainee at Tottenham Hotspur but was released as a schoolboy. He went on to sign as an apprentice for Swindon Town, making his professional league debut against Oldham Athletic on 26 April 2003. Between 2002 and 2005, Garrard made 17 appearances for Swindon, before being released on 19 April 2005.

Garrard went on to have spells with Bishop's Stortford, Boreham Wood and Northwood, before joining AFC Wimbledon in March 2006.

A popular figure with Wimbledon's fans, he made over 100 appearances for the club, mainly in a right side defensive role, but in November 2008 Garrard picked up an injury during training that kept him out for the rest of that season. From the start of the 2009–10 season, he made only occasional appearances for the team and eventually in January 2010, he was allowed to re-join Boreham Wood after his request for regular first team football could not be guaranteed.

Coaching career
On 14 October 2015, Garrard was appointed as the manager of Boreham Wood, following the resignation of Ian Allinson, making him the youngest manager in England's top five divisions.

In Garrard's third season in charge, he led Boreham Wood to the National League play-offs for the first time. His side defeated AFC Fylde and Sutton United to set up a play-off final with Tranmere Rovers at Wembley Stadium in which Garrard's side were defeated 2–1. Also in this season, Boreham Wood defeated Football League opposition for the first time in their history when they defeated League One side Blackpool in the FA Cup first round.

In the 2021–22 season, Boreham Wood reached the fifth round of the FA Cup for the first time in their history. Having reached the third round, his side defeated League One side AFC Wimbledon 2–0 before winning away at Championship promotion chasers AFC Bournemouth 1–0. His side were eventually defeated 2–0 at Premier League club Everton.

In the 2022–23 season, Boreham Wood reached the play-offs again but lost in the semi-finals to Notts County after a late goal in extra time. On 2 April 2024, following a defeat to Southend United that left relegation-threatened Boreham Wood three points from safety with just four matches remaining, the club announced that they would part company with Garrard following the final match of the season. Following a 0–0 draw with Ebbsfleet United on the final day of the season, Wood's relegation was confirmed.

Player
AFC Wimbledon
 * Conference South: 2008–09
 * Isthmian League Premier Division play-offs: 2008

Individual
 * AFC Wimbledon Young Player of the Year: 2006–07

Manager
Boreham Wood
 * Herts Senior Cup: 2017–18, 2018–19

Individual
 * National League Manager of the Month: February 2022, December 2020