Wilson hails Swindon Town coaching changes (From This Is Swindon Town FC)

Wilson hails Swindon Town coaching changes

10:00am Thursday 2nd July 2009

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DANNY Wilson believes he has put “round pegs in round holes” after finalising Town’s coaching staff for the new season.

Peter Shirtliff has been appointed as assistant manager, with George Wood the club’s goalkeeping coach, and former number two David Byrne moving into a head of player development role.

Wilson played alongside Shirtliff at Sheffield Wednesday and worked with Wood at former club Hartlepool, and is confident having people he knows at his side can help Swindon progress on the pitch.

“That’s us done for the time being,” said Wilson on the arrivals of Shirtliff and Wood.

“What they have both brought is great experience, great knowledge of the game, and over a period of years they have both played at the top level.

“They have also coached at our level and the Championship, so that will be a big help to us.

“They have got enormous respect throughout the league and the players, and our players will enjoy working with them.

“I certainly trust them and think they will do very well at this football club.

“You don’t always have to bring in people you know, but I think that with the way things have gone I think you have put a few round pegs in round holes.

“They slotted into the areas I needed them to slot in to, so I just felt the opportunity was there for me to bring in the boys who I knew, and they know me very well too.”

Swindon missed out on the capture of midfielder Owain Tudur Jones last month and seem to have lost out in the race to land Watford front man Theo Robinson too - despite having agreed fees for both men.

But Wilson insists Town are competitive wage payers among League One.

“We stand firmly against our own budget, no matter what other clubs do,” he said.

“We have our own budgets and our own projections as to what we are possibly getting through the turnstiles this year. That will be a major influence for us, as will season ticket sales.

“It’s all contributing but I don’t think it’s fair to compare us to Yeovil, Leeds, or whoever because it doesn’t stack up.

“But what we do, we will do to the best we possibly can.”

Meanwhile, Swindon have announced a pre-season friendly against Plymouth Argyle at the County Ground on Saturday, August 1.

Ex-Town boss Paul Sturrock will bring his side to Wiltshire for the warm-up match, which kicks-off at 3pm, and it should also see Rory Fallon line up for Argyle against his former side.

Tickets for the game are £10 for adults, £5 for concessions, £1 for juniors aged 10-15, and free for under 10s, and can be purchased from the STFC Box Office.

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