Heed lose coach to Black Cats academy

[FF News]

Vanarama National League club Gateshead`s under-19 coach Paul Bryson is to leave the International Stadium next month after accepting a vacancy at Sunderland’s Academy of Light.

Having already been head coach at Gateshead College’s football development centre since 2002, Bryson joined his home-town club in 2010, overseeing the Heed’s reserve side.

A fruitful link-up between the club and the college has followed since, with Bryson guiding the Tynesiders’ under-19 team to wave after wave of success in recent years.

Last season, the Heed’s young guns cruised to a fourth-straight Youth Alliance North Division title, while they were beaten finalists in both the Youth Alliance League Cup, as well as the Durham Challenge Cup.

Following a job offer earlier this month, Bryson will begin life as a lead phase coach on Wearside at the beginning of August.

But the former Spennymoor Town and Dunston UTS midfielder admits that he will step down from his current role with a heavy heart.

He said: “It was a massively difficult decision, but in the end, I just felt that I needed a new challenge.

“I have some fantastic memories from the last thirteen years – beginning with our victories in the Champions Cup as a college, before the link-up with the club.

“And then the FA Youth Cup run we had a couple of years ago – beating the likes of Preston North End and Doncaster Rovers – was a real highlight.

“We’ve now won the Youth Alliance four years on the bounce, and we’ve produced some really good players, too.

“It’s just a shame that I couldn’t have signed off with the League Cup back in May!

“But it wasn't to be. In any case, it has been a pleasure to work with the young players over the years.

“I have been working part-time at the Academy anyway. I understand the systems, the club and the players – so it will not all be completely new to me.

“I am looking forward to it – I am ready for it, and it’s a great chance to work at a Premier League club day-in, day-out.”

Source: www.footballconference.co.uk

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