Luton reshuffle backroom boys

Luton Town have announced changes in the roles of their backroom staff ahead of the new season.

Alan Neilson, moves from assistant manager to a newly created role of First Team Development Manager. This appears to be an amalgamation of a coaching position with the up and coming players along with a scouting role.

Gary Brabin, who has been chief scout at the club will become the assistant manager. Gary's experience as manager of Cambridge United should bring an extra insight on the running of the first team.

Current chief scout and former Cambridge United manager Gary Brabin has taken on the role of Assistant Manager.

On the Brabin appointment, the club official website reported:

'The Blue Square Premier Manager of the Year in 2009 will continue to oversee the scouting of senior players and opposition for the first team, while his know-how of sports science, fitness and nutrition programmes will also be utilised throughout all levels of the Club.

Under Richard Money, Gary and Alan will share the responsibility of first team coaching and day-to-day duties in the dressing room.'

Physiotherapist Harry Bedford and goalkeeping coach Dmitri Kharine, retain their positions but Kevin Watson, who held the post of first team coach last season, has left the club.

Kevin was very much Mick Harford's man and was given the role of coach after an injury caused his playing career to end.

Gary Sweet told www.lutontown.co.uk:

'This is a very positive and defined restructure which provides greater scope for the specialist capabilities we have in our camp to enhance our overall performance and development.

'It further establishes us as a club keen to develop and look after its own talent.

'Whilst we felt we learned a lot from our first season in the Blue Square Premier we are keen to ensure that we leave nothing to chance next season and these changes reflect our desire to improve.'

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