The club is pleased to confirm the appointment of Louis Dean to the position of Academy Director.
Dean, who has occupied the role of Youth Team manager since February, will now oversee the whole of the academy structure as a new strategical framework for player development is implemented.
A former academy coach at Charlton Athletic and Chelsea, Dean will continue to be in charge of the U19s team, as well as taking responsibility for a new coaching philosophy and curriculum across all age groups in the youth and foundation phases at the club.
“We have an incredibly exciting vision for the academy in helping to nurture the best talent in the local area in a way that benefits individual players and the club,” said Dean.
“We want to have the best academy in the area and that is the goal for all the staff who work here. We’ve got a very proud track record of developing our own talent at this club and collectively we want to take that to the next level.
“There are some very exciting plans behind the scenes, the academy is now at the forefront of the club’s thinking and I’m extremely proud to be overseeing its development.”
Dean’s role of Academy Director will now see him work alongside first team manager David Unsworth and Francis Jeffers, manager of the proposed B-team, in helping to create a more structured pathway for youngsters to progress.
“We’ve had some excellent conversations with the new management at the club in terms of the long-term aims for the academy and we’re all excited about looking to deliver those goals,” he added.
“The new first team manager has got a magnificent background in academy football and is very keen to link all of the arms of the club together.
“With plans in place to put together a B-team, we’ve shown that we are now a forward-thinking club which wants to do right for the players and help to bridge the gap between youth development football and the senior game.”
The Academy begin their FA Youth Cup campaign tonight (Friday) when they host AFC Blackpool at the Vastacare Stadium, kick-off 7.45pm.