Birmingham City revamp scouting team
BLUES’ backroom staff has been rejigged again with Mark Fogarty joining the new-look scouting team.
Fogarty has opted to quit his Academy post as head of recruitment to work for Alex McLeish on a part-time basis.
The new role allows Fogarty to set up a private centre of excellence, based at Lode Heath School, Solihull.
Fogarty, a UEFA A licensed coach and coach educator, has been at Blues on and off for 14 years in a variety of roles, and previously ran a successful football development scheme.
The move has arisen following the departure of former chief scout Bernard Paintin to Wigan Athletic.
New chief scout Paul Montgomery is busy adding staff on retainers to spread Blues’ net, and 46-year-old Fogarty is the first confirmed appointee.
He said: “I have accepted a role with Paul for the first team in relation to team and individual player assessment, which I’m delighted about.
“It means I can stay involved in the club and also restart my private centre of excellence, hopefully bringing through players and sending them into Birmingham as the club of first choice.”
Fogarty returned to Blues Academy two years ago, shortly after taking over as Wycombe Wanderers head of youth.
He has worked for Albion and Coventry City and was formerly the Blues centre of excellence director and, through his own coaching scheme, helped nurture Darren Carter, Craig Fagan and Aaron Brown (Yeovil Town).
Last week he scouted Everton – Standard Liege and he said the wealth of contacts at home and abroad cultivated from more than 20 years in the game would be beneficial to Blues.
“At first-team level, the management and staff is the best and most professional I have ever seen,” said Fogarty. “I will work with great diligence in my role with them.
“The Academy is about to produce a number of very good young players, with Jordon Mutch having already appeared in the team.”
Fogarty’s Elite Centre of Excellence holds its first trials on October 13 and 20 at Lode Heath School (7pm - 9pm), for all age groups from under-11 to under-16. For more information telephone 07778 851692.
