Sam Hird has explained why he chose to make the move to Bolton Wanderers and hopes the new reserve side which he will take charge of at the club will help to bridge the gap between youth and first teams.
The 33-year-old left Cumbrian side Barrow over the summer and called time on his playing career.
He transitioned into coaching during the second half of last season, being number two to Rob Kelly and helped the Bluebirds remain in League Two.
After leaving Holker Street, Hird has moved to Wanderers and has linked up with his old boss Ian Evatt at the University of Bolton Stadium.
He has become a first team coach, but will also take charge of a new reserve team at the Trotters, which will be playing in the Central League.
Other teams in the division include Walsall, Preston North End, Huddersfield Town, Fleetwood Town and Accrington Stanley.
Though not a huge number of fixtures, Hird believes it will serve a purpose in helping to bridge the gap between youth and first teams, and is looking forward to progressing as a coach under Evatt and his assistant Peter Atherton.
He said: “For me, halfway through last season I transitioned onto the staff at Barrow where I was the assistant to Rob Kelly and we did well there to keep Barrow in the Football League and that was a good learning curve for me because it stood me in good stead for my next progression, which was moving into a full-time coaching role at the start of a season.
“As soon as I got the call off the manager, it was a no brainer, having the chance to work with the first team lads and give my opinions.
"The reason I’ve been brought in is because I see things the same as the manager and as Pete Atherton, the assistant. When we got in at pre-season, the manager mentioned also setting up a reserve team and that would be a dual role as the first team coach and the reserve team manager.
"For me, at the next stage of my career to come in and work at a club like Bolton Wanderers, with the staff that are already here and the players, coming into the building I’ve been massively impressed with the players, the attitudes, the application, the standard - and we’re all in it with one aim, which is to help Bolton Wanderers succeed as a football club.
“I think there’s 10 league games, so it’s not a lot over the course of the season, but it’ll serve a purpose definitely for us. Like I’ve mentioned previously, there is a purpose on why we’ve set it up and we’ll be utilising it to bridge the gap between youth team and first team.”
Hird is familiar with Evatt, having been a team-mate of his at Chesterfield and then played under him at Barrow.
The new Bolton coach believes his relationship with Evatt has made it easier for him to transition to coaching and is looking forward to the upcoming campaign which starts tomorrow against MK Dons.
He said: “When you go into any new job, if you know your boss then it’s easier for you to integrate, but I’m a sensible guy. The manager wouldn’t have brought me in if I didn’t have something to offer.
"Coming in and watching how the gaffer and Pete do things, which I already knew from Barrow, it’s been easier to transition into that for me.
"Moving forward I’ll try and add my opinions and I what I think I can add to the group, which has already been massively successful last season. It’s one aim and we’ve all got one goal, which is to make Bolton Wanderers even more successful.
“It’s brilliant to be part of a massive club like Bolton Wanderers. I think to be staff, players to play in front of at least 10,000 season ticket holders and there will be more coming in on the day, so the crowds are going to be massive.
"The players will be buzzing and we’ll be giving them every bit of information we can for them to go and do the business on the pitch, because ultimately the players are the ones that are going to have to perform.
"They’re the most important part of the football club, along with the fans, and hopefully the players can put on performances that’ll excite fans and help us finish as high as we possibly can.”
