Nigel Spink delighted to stay on as Bristol City goalkeeping coach
NIGEL Spink will continue in his role as Bristol City goalkeeping coach after signing on for the 2012-13 season.
Recruited to succeed Stuart Naylor in March, the former Aston Villa and England stopper worked with City's keepers for the final two months of last season after being handed a short-term contract.
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Bristol City
But Robins boss Derek McInnes was keen for Spink to continue in the role and negotiations between the 53-year-old former Forest Green Rovers boss and City officials culminated in agreement being reached on a new one-year contract.
Spink's new deal represents the latest stage in a backroom revolution that has seen McInnes ease out many of the staff he inherited and replace them with his own men.
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That process started when former assistant manager Steve Wigley departed just days after McInnes took charge in October last year.
Naylor was next to go in March this year and the former Robins keeper was followed out of the Ashton Gate exit by under-21s coach Gary Owers.
First-team physio Nick Dawes has also left and been replaced by Michael McBride, recruited earlier this week from Coventry City.
McInnes has also instigated sweeping changes within the club's academy set-up, bringing in Willie McStay to manage the youth system and former Premier League employee Tim Kirk to oversee development.
He has also found an academy job for ex-Robins midfielder Alex Russell and appointed City legend Scott Murray as kit man.
McInnes, pictured, is keen to tap into Spink's vast knowledge of the game, both as a player and a coach.
Now 53, Spink made his name with Aston Villa and bagged a European Cup winner's medal when he came off the bench to replace the injured Jimmy Rimmer in a 1-0 win over Bayern Munich in 1982.
His one senior appearance for England came the following year on a tour of Australia.
He went on to play for West Bromwich Albion and Millwall before dropping into non-League football with Chelmsford and cutting his teeth as a manager with Forest Green.
After retiring as a player, Spink worked as a coach at West Brom and, after a brief spell as manager of Forest Green, worked under Steve Bruce at Birmingham City, Wigan Athletic and Sunderland.
He left Sunderland last December following Bruce's dismissal a few days earlier and was contacted by McInnes in February.
McInnes said: "Nigel has a wealth of experience coaching at the top level. We saw what he could bring to us last term and we're delighted he has agreed to work with us again."
Spink said: "I'm absolutely delighted to carry on following the work done at the back-end of last season.
"I see massive opportunity here with the sense of enthusiasm for the job and desire to push forwards.
"On the back of leaving Sunderland, coming here to Bristol City really re-energised me again and the opportunity to continue my work here is one I relish."
Bristol City's Championship fixture against Derby at Pride Park has been brought forward by a day.
Initially scheduled for Saturday, March 30, the game will now be played on Good Friday (7.45pm).
Former Bristol City defender Jamie McAllister, 34, has signed a two-year contract with League One Yeovil Town, where he will again team up with ex-Ashton Gate boss Gary Johnson.
Comments
by piledriver
Saturday, June 30 2012, 1:37PM
“Goalkeeping Coach.
Now for a goalkeeper!
In all seriousness, if we sign, say Heaton who's been released by Cardiff and rumoured to be on his way and Lewis Carey goes out on loan as DMAC has said he would, then the other two (one at the moment) can expect sone fairly intensive one on one coaching.”
by marksy1
Saturday, June 30 2012, 9:18AM
“by MarkWilts
Ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha. You are so very funny you dick!”
by AussieGeorge
Friday, June 29 2012, 11:38PM
“I hear Billy Connelly is looking for a new challenge, at least we could laugh at our situation.”
by DawnNorth
Friday, June 29 2012, 7:34PM
“I know just the man you need to complete this backroom staff recruitment blitz.
With all those Scotsmen arriving at The Gate Shaun would add some English balance.
Even though his left one hangs a bit lower than his right.”
by redferryman1
Friday, June 29 2012, 6:55PM
“marmeliser & JohnJames
Yep! OK, lads will 'ave one those, too!
PS Just a thought, but maybe Jody Morris can multi-task since going North?”
by JohnJames
Friday, June 29 2012, 6:11PM
“And right- sided centre back?”
by marmeliser
Friday, June 29 2012, 5:53PM
“redferrman
i think you mean a LEFT back”
by redferryman1
Friday, June 29 2012, 1:33PM
“andyyandyy and Redrocky
Lads! Your timetable of the comings and goings at AshtonGate is incomplete....should also read:-
"....late June 2012, City appoint THAT 20-goal-a-season striker, THAT long-sought-after creative/combative midfielder, THAT reliable right-sided full-back and THAT mean, tight keeper! Phew! That's a relief! And to think we all thought City wouldn't sign anyone!....."”
by MarkWilts
Friday, June 29 2012, 1:12PM
“Joe Jordan is looking for a coaching job - and he is Scottish! Go get him Del.”
by andyyandyy
Friday, June 29 2012, 12:10PM
“Redrocky how am I wrong?.
Time line
McInnes was appointed manager of Bristol City on 19 October 2011 with Tony Docherty joining as his assistant.
On 19 October 2011 Alan Walsh left his job as the development coach /reserve team coach (he jumped before he was pushed).
We then played Birmingham, Barnsley and West Ham
Then... on 2 November 2011, Wigley left the club by mutual consent.
Owers then replaced Wigley as reserve team coach which shows Wigley was doing that job when he left.”