FORMER Westfields manager Andy Bevan has been appointed as the new Head Coach at Hereford FC Academy.

The UEFA A Licenced qualified coach has managed the Herefordshire Junior Premier League Regional Talent Centre which has seen 28 youths signed to the academies of professional clubs.

His new role will see Bevan have responsibility for ‘coaching strategies throughout the Hereford FC Academy – overseeing the work of all the coaches in the various age groups – and will work with Paul Quarrell, Academy Chairman, and the committee to plan and implement the future direction of the club’s player pathway’.

 “I’m hugely excited to take on this role and can’t wait to get started. I’m passionate about youth football and this opportunity is one that I feel is perfect for me,” Bevan told the Hereford FC website.

“I’m really looking forward to working with the current coaches and getting to know the players who already play for the academy, and I’m determined to take the whole set-up to the next level.

“As someone who stood on the Meadow End as I grew up, I am going to be very proud to wear the Bulls badge and to try to play an important part in developing talent that can go on to play in the first team at Edgar Street.”

Paul Quarrell, the Academy Chairman said that Bevan’s experience will be ‘invaluable’ as they look at improving the academy.

He added: “We are really pleased to have Andy on board as he has a huge amount of knowledge that is going to prove invaluable as we look to continue to grow our academy.

“Everyone at the club is very proud of the way our academy is developing, but we know there are lots of areas for improvement. We are committed to making our academy the best it can be for everyone involved.

“Andy will bring with him the extra experience we need and having successfully run his own regional talent centre for a number of years, he has a level of understanding and organisational know-how that we will struggle to better. I am very much looking forward to working with him.

“We informed our current coaches last night, and the players and their families this morning about Andy’s appointment and will be providing detailed updates on our plans for the future.

“Andy is already looking forward to getting to know the players once they have all enjoyed a well-deserved break, and I really do think this appointment means that even more exciting times lie ahead for our pathway teams.”