Craig Harrison appointed as director of football
Craig Harrison appointed as director of football
Friday 30 December 2011
AIRBUS UK Broughton chief Craig Harrison is the man chosen by The New Saints to succeed Mike Davies as director of football at Park Hall.
Harrison, will work alongside current first-team manager and head coach Carl Darlington, working with the first team squad on a daily basis as well as being responsible for the development of young players at the club through the academy and scholarship programmes.
Darlington was Harrison's assistant at The Airfield during the Wingmakers' most successful season ever in the top flight of Welsh domestic football, before joining TNS in March 2010.
In addition, the club is also appointing long-serving player Scott Ruscoe as head of youth development, with a brief to work closely with existing and new coaches within the club’s scholarship and academy programmes as well as having a responsibility for extending the Football in the Community programme.
Scott will also assist Craig Harrison with first team duties on a day to day basis.
"Craig comes to us with a great football pedigree," says TNS owner Mike Harris.
"We were extremely impressed with his passion and professionalism during our interview process and we welcome him to the club."
A former Middlesbrough, Crystal Palace and Preston North End defender, Harrison was appointed manager of the Wingmakers at the beginning of July 2008, following the shock departure of Gareth Owen to concentrate on a playing career with Rhyl.
Gateshead-born Harrison signed YTS forms with Middlesbrough as a 16-year-old teenager and was given his first team debut two years later by then manager and England legend Bryan Robson.
However, despite making an instant impact on the club's fortunes, Harrison's career was to falter after a catalogue of misfortunes.
A burst appendix kept him out of the game for 18 months and he then found his spot at left back occupied by Christian Ziege.
After enjoying a brief loan spell when David Moyes took him to Preston North End, he caught the eye of Crystal Palace manager Alan Smith who splashed £250,000 to take him to Selhurst Park.
But a double compound fracture ended his football career until a chance meeting with Owen at a surprise birthday party resulted in him succeeding Allan Bickerstaff as Owen's assistant at The Airfield in 2007.
More TNS Headlines
-
Club stalwart Hogan among released players STALWART midfielder Barry Hogan is one of three players released...
-
NEWFA final shoot-out woe for young Saints TNS Youth suffered penalty shoot-out woe as they lost to Gap Connah's...
-
Double success as Saints win the Welsh Cup THE New Saints completed a league and cup double for the second...
- 1
- 2