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Wanderers have confirmed the appointment of first-team coach Sam Hird – who will be placed in charge of the club’s new-look reserve team.
The 33-year-old called time on his playing career last season at Barrow and worked as assistant manager to Rob Kelly at Holker Street, helping to keep the club in League Two.
He had previously played 65 games for the Bluebirds, capping off a career which started as a junior at Aston Villa and Leeds United and also included spells with Doncaster Rovers, Grimsby Town and Chesterfield – where he played alongside Ian Evatt.
Hird made more than 450 appearances over the course of 16 years but will now be focusing solely on coaching, and will be working with a new team set to enter into the Central League next season.
“Coaching was something that always interested me as I went through my career,” Hird said.
“I played with the manager at Chesterfield and I was lucky enough to play at Barrow where we had a good group of lads and success under him and his staff.
“Halfway through last season I transitioned onto the staff side of things and when Rob Kelly took over early in the New Year he asked me to assist him.
"To keep Barrow in the Football League from when Rob took over – they were second from bottom – was a good learning curve for me.
“That stood me in good stead and then I got a call from Ian asking if I would like to join his staff as the first team coach.
“It was an easy decision for me to make. He’s built such a great culture at the football club and you can certainly see why they got promoted last season.
"It’s a great group of staff, great group of players and I’m really looking forward to coming in and helping to add to the success the club enjoyed last season.”
Speaking to The Bolton News about the appointment, Evatt feels Hird’s appointment – one of a few expected at Lostock this summer – will be an important one for the club.
“Sam will be looking after that group,” he said of the new second string side.
“He has joined us and will work with me and Peter (Atherton, assistant) – but when it comes down to managing that group of players, he’ll be in charge.
“First and foremost, he’s a fantastic person and culturally, he fits the bill perfectly.
“He also knows the game extremely well and understands what I want and require from players, so he is a great fit for us to come over.
“We want young and hungry coaches and players who have a point to prove.
"Sam does, he is starting out on his coaching journey but is very talented and we’re excited to have him. He will be a great asset for us.”
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