Bristol Rovers favourite Byron Anthony has left the Gas to take up an academy coaching role with Championship side Swansea City.
Anthony, who obtained his UEFA Pro License last March, had been coaching at Rovers since September 2020 and was even linked with the vacant managerial role in the wake of Paul Tisdale’s departure.
The 36-year-old had been working alongside academy manager Chris Hargreaves and head of coaching Adrian Harvie, focusing on the Under-14s, while also undertaking first-team matchday analysis on iFollow.
But he will now take a full-time role with Swansea’s Under-18 set-up with the club making changes to their youth coaching structure.
“Huge thank you to everyone at Bristol Rovers and the Rovers academy but especially to Chris Hargreaves and Adrian Harvie who are doing a great job developing both players and coaches within the academy,” Anthony posted on Twitter.
“I have loved being back involved and I wish you all well for the future.”
In response, Harvie wrote: “Made a big impact on a lot of people here Byron Anthony.
“Sad to see you go but on a personal level, really pleased that you’ll be given the opportunity to work with some of Wales' finest young players. Don’t be a stranger. Always welcome back here.”
Anthony made 190 appearances for the Gas between 2006 and 2012, and was a key member of the 2007 League Two play-off winning team under Paul Trollope.
Swansea currently lie fourth in the Championship and have a proud history of promoting academy talents into the first-team with Joe Rodon, Ben Cabango and Daniel James recent success stories.
