Hinchy gets keeper mentor role at Well

MOTHERWELL have unveiled Craig Hinchcliffe as their new goalkeeping coach.

The 45-year-old has enjoyed previous stints in charge of the shot stoppers at Partick Thistle, Dundee United and York City.

The Fir Park side are in Ireland this week at the lavish Carton House resort and Hinchcliffe has already departed for the Emerald Isle to replace the departing Marlon Beresford.

Motherwell boss Stephen Robinson said: “The timing wasn’t great and was imperative our pre-season plans were not interrupted in any way, which is why we’ve brought Craig in.

“Marlon was great around the club and we didn’t want him to go, but the opportunity he has is quite literally life-changing, so he moves on with our best wishes for the future.

“Craig is someone who has come highly recommended to us. He has the highest goalkeeping qualification you can achieve; he has coached at some good clubs and with some really good managers and knows the Scottish game inside out. I am delighted he’s joining our set-up.”

Hinchcliffe will start working with new shot stopper Trevor Carson and the returning Russell Griffiths, and said: “I am delighted to be back in the game and teaming up with Stephen Robinson and the staff at Fir Park.

“Motherwell has an excellent reputation within the game and I am excited at the prospect of working with Trevor, Russell and the young keepers we have here too.

“It’s my job to mentor the goalkeepers at the club, and that’s my ultimate focus. I’m looking forward to getting started.”

Beresford leaves Fir Park for a post in the Middle East, and the former Burnley man thanked the Lanarkshire club for the enjoyable but brief three months spent in Scotland.

He said: “I’ve loved my short time at Motherwel. “I am leaving with an extremely heavy heart.”