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Wanderers have placed the task of unearthing new footballing talent in the hands of a man Bolton born and bred.
Irfan Kawri has been installed as the club’s new recruitment co-ordinator, covering both first team and academy operations.
The former Sharples School pupil has a wide-ranging football CV and recently worked with former Wanderer Les Ferdinand at QPR in the development squad.
He is well known to footballers in the area having taught PE and delivered football sessions at several local schools and is currently studying for his UEFA A Licence.
“Being a Bolton lad, I spent many Saturday afternoons on the terraces at Burnden Park,” he told the club. “I loved watching Sasa Curcic going on his amazing dribbles and I spent most of my time playing football with my mates.
“Like Hilly and Flicker I know how much Bolton Wanderers means to our town and I am so proud to call myself a Boltonian.
“It’s imperative that the club connects with the community and that stronger links are forged. We want everybody in the town to be proud of their football club and to support us, and for youngsters to aspire to one day put on the famous white jersey.
“I’m really looking forward to making a positive impact at our football club and working closely with our community.”
Kawri was previously on the books of Rochdale as an aspiring schoolboy footballer whilst also having youth team trials at Bradford City. He played semi-professional football at Leigh RMI under Whites legend Roy Greaves and represented Zambia at under-20 level.
Having coached at non-league level, where he was first team coach at Stalybridge Celtic, he also had a spell as a scout for neighbours Wigan Athletic.
He also spent time with Burton Albion, working under then coach Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink, as well as helping to guide Zambia to the quarter finals of the African Nations Championship in 2016.
Wanderers assistant David Flitcroft is keen to re-establish more links with local football clubs and sees Kawri’s appointment as an important step in the right direction.
“Irfan has vast experience in scouting and understands the importance of the community,” he said.
“He also understands the grassroots clubs in Bolton and will build strong relationships between them and the club.
“He has the right qualities as a person and will unearth the talent that is hungry to want to play for Bolton Wanderers.
“Irfan can drive this vision and we are looking forward to working with him.”
Wanderers’ recruitment was previously headed up by ex-West Ham and Luton Town defender Tim Breacker, although pay problems under previous owner Ken Anderson left him unable to travel to games in the latter half of last season.
Bolton hope to make an announcement on a new goalkeeper coach in the near future following the departure of Lee Butler to Sunderland.
Wanderers CEO Emma Beaugeard has been overseeing the restructure since August’s takeover and is pleased to have brought in another member of staff who is familiar with the Bolton set-up.
“Upon meeting Irfan it was immediately evident that his values echo those of the Board and of both Keith and David,” she said.
“We all want to maximise the local talent we know is out there and reconnect with the Bolton footballing community in a positive and meaningful way.
“Irfan has the experience and passion to make this happen.”
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Irfan Kawri has been installed as the club’s new recruitment co-ordinator, covering both first team and academy operations.
The former Sharples School pupil has a wide-ranging football CV and recently worked with former Wanderer Les Ferdinand at QPR in the development squad.
He is well known to footballers in the area having taught PE and delivered football sessions at several local schools and is currently studying for his UEFA A Licence.
“Being a Bolton lad, I spent many Saturday afternoons on the terraces at Burnden Park,” he told the club. “I loved watching Sasa Curcic going on his amazing dribbles and I spent most of my time playing football with my mates.
“Like Hilly and Flicker I know how much Bolton Wanderers means to our town and I am so proud to call myself a Boltonian.
“It’s imperative that the club connects with the community and that stronger links are forged. We want everybody in the town to be proud of their football club and to support us, and for youngsters to aspire to one day put on the famous white jersey.
“I’m really looking forward to making a positive impact at our football club and working closely with our community.”
Kawri was previously on the books of Rochdale as an aspiring schoolboy footballer whilst also having youth team trials at Bradford City. He played semi-professional football at Leigh RMI under Whites legend Roy Greaves and represented Zambia at under-20 level.
Having coached at non-league level, where he was first team coach at Stalybridge Celtic, he also had a spell as a scout for neighbours Wigan Athletic.
He also spent time with Burton Albion, working under then coach Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink, as well as helping to guide Zambia to the quarter finals of the African Nations Championship in 2016.
Wanderers assistant David Flitcroft is keen to re-establish more links with local football clubs and sees Kawri’s appointment as an important step in the right direction.
“Irfan has vast experience in scouting and understands the importance of the community,” he said.
“He also understands the grassroots clubs in Bolton and will build strong relationships between them and the club.
“He has the right qualities as a person and will unearth the talent that is hungry to want to play for Bolton Wanderers.
“Irfan can drive this vision and we are looking forward to working with him.”
Wanderers’ recruitment was previously headed up by ex-West Ham and Luton Town defender Tim Breacker, although pay problems under previous owner Ken Anderson left him unable to travel to games in the latter half of last season.
Bolton hope to make an announcement on a new goalkeeper coach in the near future following the departure of Lee Butler to Sunderland.
Wanderers CEO Emma Beaugeard has been overseeing the restructure since August’s takeover and is pleased to have brought in another member of staff who is familiar with the Bolton set-up.
“Upon meeting Irfan it was immediately evident that his values echo those of the Board and of both Keith and David,” she said.
“We all want to maximise the local talent we know is out there and reconnect with the Bolton footballing community in a positive and meaningful way.
“Irfan has the experience and passion to make this happen.”
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