JOHN'S role involves overseeing the non-playing development of young players, including looking after accommodation and education and dealing with any welfare issue there may be and helping with finance or family problems.

On a day to day basis he liaises with schools and colleges and works with tutor supervisor Lesley Barnes to ensure completion of the NVQ working with college tutors to ensure successful completion of the technical certificate.

"I aim to support the lads through their careers with a view to them having a direction if they are unsuccessful in their ambition of becoming top class footballers," he says.

John previously held a number of senior positions including acting head in a teaching career at Newlands FCJ School and St Mary's College in Middlesbrough, where chairman Steve Gibson was a student.