Long-serving academy coach North replaces popular McCormack as Fratton Park kitman
KEV McCORMACK’s role as with Pompey stretches back Pompey kitman has been filled – to dad, Roger, who headed the by a long-serving Academy coach. hugely successful Isle of Wight
Shaun North has totalled centre of excellence. more than two decades of Following his first coaching sterling service with the Blues’ spell at Fratton Park which youth set-up. ended in 2007, Shaun North
During two lengthy spells, he served as Oxford United’s has been instrumental in the reserve-team manager and then development of the likes of Gary first-team coach at Torquay. O’Neil, Matt Ritchie, Joel Ward, He was appointed Paul
Asmir Begovic, Ben Close, Conor Buckle’s assistant manager at Chaplin and Jack Whatmough. Bristol Rovers in the summer
Now the 59-year-old has of 2011 and was caretaker boss stepped away from Academy when they faced Aston Villa in coaching duties to become only the FA Cup in January 2012. Pompey’s third kitman in more After leaving Rovers in April than half a century. 2013, he worked as Under-21s In July, McCormack development coach at AFC
22 revealed he was to Wimbledon and then relinquish the role first-team coach at after 22 years Cheltenham. to spend more There were time with wife also spells Sarah, who coaching at last year was Gosport and diagnosed with Weymouth, bowel cancer. Kev McCormack spent more serving as
However, than 22 years years as Eastbourne’s the popular Pompey’s kitman Academy Welshman manager, while he continues to remain also spent six month at Fratton Park as assistant as Eastleigh’s assistant kitman, albeit keeping him manager. out of match-day duties but However, North would return remaining at the training to Pompey’s Academy for ground. another lengthy period and was
McCormack’s final game last season the under-15s and was last month’s League One 16s coach. opener at Fleetwood, with North Now he has chosen a new officially taking the reins for the Fratton Park role as his long Carabao Cup trip to Millwall. and successful association with
North’s strong association Pompey continues.