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Billy Bowie confirmed that the Board had met with the manager and funds are available for wages for a new player. Focus was on bringing in a striker and there have been players in on trial. The signing of George Oakley has since been announced and we are still looking to add to the squad if possible.
The first team budget had been well guarded, to allow the club to compete. While some other clubs had cut player wages, we have not done so. However, we did take some tough decisions at the outset of first lockdown, reviewing and restructuring within the club operations.
James Fowler described the range of work he is involved in across the whole club, including the first team, development team / Academy and women’s team, which has been brought under auspices of the Club.
James’s role includes managing staff, liaising with and providing support to the manager, arranging player loans, watching loan players, dealing with recruitment, including agents, and keeping close links with the development squad. He also works closely on day-to-day basis with the Club Secretary, media and commercial teams, speaks to a Board member at least weekly on current issues and meets with whole Board every two to three weeks on more strategic issues. He also joins SPFL/SFA Zoom calls on behalf of the Club.
He reported that six players had gone out on loan, some to Junior sides, and some to lower division SPFL clubs. With no reserve team, this helps bridge the step from development group into first team.
Since On Board In Person, Innes Cameron has gone on loan to Alloa.
James emphasized the importance of watching all loaned-out players in action and providing support to them, as part of their pathway. Having come through Academy himself, he is passionate about the Academy and how this challenges and pushes people on.
He is also committed to forging better career/education /personal development pathways for young players, including encouraging them to do coaching badges. The work with School of Football at the McIlvanney Campus has produced very good feedback, with the academic side going well.
There is still no further information from SFA regarding future shape of academies, but staff are working hard to keep players engaged during these tough times, and we thank them for their efforts.
James also gave an insight into the process around recruitment of managers including the importance of tracking who is available/may be available in future, as is done with players. In his view, ‘the Ajax way’ approach is harder to implement in small clubs, but there are aspects which could be adopted, in terms of basic principles.
He confirmed that Eamon Brophy had been made a good offer some time ago, but the player chose to sit it out. At present he is working on possible options for players we want to keep but recognises that while offers can be made, players can choose not to sign.
He reiterated that this season is not easy – the priority player-wise is to stay in league and rebuild from there.
A player pathway needs to be developed, given the age of our squad, including bringing people through and selling. James felt strongly that it was not ideal for Billy, Phyllis and the Trust to constantly put cash in just to keep going. Pre-contracts might be used, although they are not legally binding. The scouting network is being built up to keep track of potential targets in Scotland and elsewhere.
James said that Brexit has brought some potential challenges. He hopes there will still be the option to bring in from abroad, but the main focus now is UK players.
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