County out to lend boss Flynn a hand
MICHAEL Flynn will have some help in putting together a squad for next season – whichever division Newport County are playing in.
With 10 games to go the Exiles are still in the hunt for promotion and are currently sitting in the final play-off position with games in hand on some of the teams above them in the table.
How they finish the season will determine whether or not they can return to the third tier of English football for the first time in 34 years.
But by the time the planning begins in earnest for next season’s campaign County will have a Sporting Director in place to help Flynn make the club even more competitive. Recruitment has begun and the club have already had a good response to their initial advert.
“This is a critical appointment for the club and part of our planning to manage the risks of the business. We also want to support the manager in the challenging area of recruitment and retention, particularly in the climate we are currently in,” said County chairman, Gavin Foxall.
With 22 players either out of contract, or heading back to their parent clubs after loan spells by the end of June, there is a lot of work to be done in a short space of time when the current season comes to an end.
“Newport County is seeking to appoint our first Sporting Director who will be charged with delivery of the performance strategy. The Sporting Director will work alongside the club’s Directors and Management to develop a robust recruitment, development and retention strategy,” the club stated.
“They will be responsible for overseeing the delivery, monitoring and evaluation of the overall Football Strategy for the club, including setting and attaining performance objectives and budgeting.”
Another key responsibility within the role will be to focus on building a bridge between the clubs Academy and the first team by initiating a Development Squad. There is no Under 23 team at County and so Flynn has had to use Football League Trophy games to blood his teenagers.
In the longer term, County are hoping their new Sporting Director can have an impact on the sports science and medicine and football operations.
“Credibility within the game is key and the Sporting Director will need an ability to be strategic in terms of the overall plan for Newport County,” added the club.
“The Sporting Director will be pivotal to managing the clubs medium and long-term goals while also protecting against reactive short-term measures
“They will be vital to the progression of the club both on and off the field in the development of a structured approach to meeting our longer term footballing objectives.”