THE New Saints Football Club confirm that Carl Darlington, who is currently studying for his UEFA Pro Licence qualification, will have senior responsibility for first team matters as the club’s first team head coach.
He will work alongside Mike Davies, who will continue to oversee all aspects of football development at the club from the academy structure through to first team affairs as the club's director of football.
Long serving player Scott Ruscoe, who is due to complete his A licence qualification, will form part of the management team and will assist with first team coaching duties.
"I’m delighted to extend my responsibilities with the club working alongside Mike Davies to ensure that the club once again is successful not only domestically but also on a European stage," said Darlington.
"We are once again having a fantastic season at the club," says Mike Davies. "It’s a team effort and our coaching structure will ensure continuity well into the future.
"Every team has a successful team behind the scenes, we already have that in place with Carl and myself, enhanced with Scott’s contribution and complemented by our chartered physio Pete Talbot, fitness coach Gavin Davies, match analyser Ben Bate, player liaison manager Gordon Evans and club doctor Brian Johnson.
"Having Scotty on board will give the players an added lift as we strive to end the season on a high.
"We had a magnificent run in UEFA competitions at the start of the season with a great win against Bohemians and two memorable matches against the mighty Anderlecht in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers before narrowly losing and just missing out on a UEFA Europa League place to Bulgarian giants CSKA Sofia.
"We are also challenging for domestic honours on all three fronts aiming to retain the Welsh Premier title, we’re in the semi finals of the Welsh Cup and the final of the Loosemores Cup, long may the success continue," he added.
Photo: Carl Darlington will have senior responsibility for first team affairs.