Deano delighted with first team coach (From South Wales Argus)

Deano delighted with first team coach

11:10am Friday 29th May 2009

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NEWPORT County boss Dean Holdsworth today heralds what he calls one of his most important signings yet after appointing Matthew Bishop as his new first team coach.

Bishop, who heads the coaching division of the FAW, met Holdsworth this month after seeing him through his qualification for the UEFA B License.

County’s ‘gaffer’ passed with flying colours and built a rapport with Bishop, deciding to offer him a role at County after consulting with general manager Tim Harris.

Harris took his UEFA A license under Bishop’s watchful eye and agrees with Holdsworth that the Bridgend-based coach is the perfect replacement for Steve Jenkins, who left Spytty Park at the end of the season to join Andy Legg at Llanelli.

Bishop is a UEFA pro-license holder (the highest UEFA coaching qualification) and also coaches the Welsh under-16 international side.

He heads the technical department of the FAW Trust, delivering coaching qualifications and helping to mentor Welsh Premier League managers, a job he will continue to do, combined with training the Exiles on a Tuesday and Thursday evening.

Aberystwyth-born Bishop was a scholar at Swansea City, not making the grade and subsequently enjoying a playing career with Bangor and Aberystwyth in the Welsh Premier League.

He has previously coached at Cwmbran Town and last season was with Clevedon, who were bottom of the Southern Premier League when he joined and subsequently finished outside of the danger zone.

“Bish ticks all the boxes, his coaching style and experience and most importantly his personality, he’s exactly the kind of person we wanted to bring in,” Holdsworth explained.

“You can’t just have one voice all the time on the training field and Bish and I will work well together.”

And new man Harris endorsed Holdsworth’s verdict.

“Dean asked me about Bish and I couldn’t speak highly enough of him, I’ve known him for many years and he’s just the kind of experienced coach we could do with,” Harris said.

“He helped me to get my A license and has a terrific enthusiasm for the game.”

Bishop himself is relishing the task of helping County improve on last term’s mid-table finish in the Blue Square South.

He explained: “I see it as an exciting challenge, Dean Holdsworth and I think in the same way in regard to football and I believe he is passionate and thinks deeply about the club.

“Newport have a great business plan and with Tim Harris there as well, I didn’t have to think too long and hard before agreeing to come on board.

“It’s the perfect timing, well ahead of pre-season and I can’t wait to get started and to meet all the players.”

The Argus understands Holdsworth and Harris are working tirelessly behind the scenes and hope to announce a trio of signings shortly.

The pair have met up three times since Harris’ appointment and are building an understanding, County’s new general manager taking a huge strain off of the manager in terms of the day-to-day issues at the club, such as training facilities and organising pre-season friendlies.

“Tim and I are developing a good understanding, his presence lifts a lot from my shoulders,” Holdsworth explained.

“To have a general manager and a manager, we need to get on and Tim’s views on things are generally similar to mine.

“We are close with three players (the Argus has been asked not to name them or their positions) and considering it is not even the FA Cup final yet, I am feeling very positive about how the squad is shaping up.”

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