We are pleased to announce the return of Kevin Gibbins to the club.
Gibbins, who previously spent six years at Rochdale before taking up a role at a Championship side last summer, is set to play an integral part in Brian Barry-Murphy’s backroom team, having been appointed as Dale’s new Head of Football Science and Performance.
The appointment will see him working closely with all members of the backroom staff and players, ensuring a link between the sports science element of the game and the footballing aspect.
Manager Brian Barry-Murphy explains more about the role.
“Kevin was someone I was intent on working with again at some stage in my career. I didn’t know in what capacity, but the fact that I got this job gives me the chance to fast track that,” said BBM.
“Once I established my security in the job and I started having a vision of what we were going to look like going forward into the new season, my vision of what a management structure would look like was built around what Kevin could bring to the table.
“I worked closely with him when I was in the player/ coach role here, and I could see then from a physical aspect what he could do for the players. He comes from a footballing background so the type of work he can bring is second to none. It ties in with an elite level of performance and conditioning that can take our players to the next level physically. He has an understanding of how I want the players to progress physically and how I want the game to be played.
“A lot of the top clubs have gone away from a traditional management structure and they incorporate the scientific and conditioning aspect of training into the football side of things.
“Kevin provides a link to both and will help to pull the whole club together behind the scenes in terms of structure, from Academy level through to the first team, in the way that we want do things. It’s an outstanding acquisition by the club and it’s an exceptional bit of business for me. I’d like to thank the Board who have supported me all the way in bringing Kevin back.”
Meanwhile, we can also confirm the departure of Ross Jones, Dale’s Head of Sports Science. He has joined fellow League One side Blackpool and leaves with our best wishes. The recruitment process has already started to bring in a replacement.
BBM has thanked Ross for his services to the club and wished him well for the future.
“Initially, Ross’ departure was very disappointing for me because my vision for the structure of the management team was to bring Kevin in to work alongside Ross as a team. Ross would have been doing different parts of the job to Kevin, but Ross has had an offer from Blackpool and he was very keen to go and pursue that.
“We won’t stand in the way of any player or staff member’s ambition to go and progress their career in whatever way they see fit. Ross has made that decision based on a number of factors that he believes are beneficial to him and his family and we wish him well.”
Good luck, Ross!