STRATFORD Town have announced that former Premier League striker Dean Holdsworth will head up their new management team.
Holdsworth arrives in a Head Coach capacity with former Bromsgrove Sporting manager Gavin Hurren appointed as first-team coach in a new look management team at the Arden Garages Stadium.
And both Ian Weaving and John Hill will remain part of the backroom staff as the Bards look to consolidate their place in the Southern League Premier Central next season.
Chairman Jed McCrory said: “Deano is vastly experienced and brings with him a wealth of knowledge across all levels of the game and in particular his attitude and mental strength – he’s a professional winner!
“He has a lot of managerial experience on budget constraints and has always created a competitive team that plays an attractive passing brand of football.
“The style of play delivered by Deano has previously won the Conference South Division with Newport County by a country mile, alongside turning the fortunes of Aldershot Town around in Division Two.
“We want to create a management team based on a Boot Room model here at Stratford, that gives pathways throughout the club instead of spending sprees that puts clubs in financial difficulty.”
Hurren kept Sporting in the division last season and will support Holdsworth with his knowledge of local players.
McCrory added: “I am delighted to add Gavin to our coaching team for next season. He has a great knowledge of local players and experience in our division.
“During our conversations it was clear that he buys into the ethos of this club and its ambitions about pushing us forward to create more memorable moments for our supporters and community whilst playing a brand of entertaining football.”
Hurren said: “After meeting and speaking with Jed and hearing his passion and vision for Stratford Town Football Club, I am very honoured to become part of this fantastic club with such a strong infrastructure that Jed and the board have put together.
“I have always been passionate in developing young players to try and give them the best opportunity to play in the full-time game and seeing what Stratford have formed with so many youth sides and their Academy programme really gives players a great opportunity with a clear pathway to the first team.”
The appointment fills the void left by former boss Tim Flowers who departed the club in March having all but secured the Bards status in step three of non-league football.
