Post by jonesa on Oct 26, 2009 16:20:57 GMT
www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/Pompey-swing-the-axe.5763209.jp
Pompey have swung the axe in a massive clear-out of youth-team coaching staff.
Eight were yesterday shown the Fratton Park door by director of youth operations Paul Smalley.
Leading the way are former Blues favourites Paul Hardyman and Mark Chamberlain.
They have been sacked along with Ian White, Alan Miller, Paul White, Henry Millington and Rod Ruddick.
In addition, a member of the Academy's administration staff was this week also dismissed.
Meanwhile, Academy manager Mark Kelly walked out two weeks ago after becoming disillusioned.
The decisions have come about as Smalley attempts to streamline the youth set-up.
Having taken over from Paul Hart in the summer, the former director of football for New Zealand is keen to stamp his own mark on the club.
Over the past month, existing staff were asked to reapply for their jobs, with many roles scrapped altogether.
The news was yesterday delivered by Smalley to those not required in the restructured set-up.
Pompey director of communications, Gary Double, said: 'This is part of the reorganisation of the business.
'Eight people's jobs have been made redundant, but they have been offered the opportunity to apply for other roles within the club.'
Of those who have departed, it is the highly-regarded Hardyman who is the highest profile casualty.
The former Blues full-back joined the club's Football in the Community scheme back in 2000 and went on to become youth-team coach in 2006.
Meanwhile, as under-15/16 co-ordinator, Chamberlain oversaw the progress of rising star Sam Magri.
The 15-year-old Fratton youngster last week made his England under-16 debut, featuring at the centre of defence.
Ian White served as under-13/14 co-ordinator, while Paul 'Chalky' White spent the last few years serving as a fitness coach after being recruited from Barnsley.
Two Paul Hart appointments in Miller and Ruddick have also departed.
Miller left Aston Villa to become Pompey's head of recruitment just two years ago, but was deemed surplus to requirements.
Ruddick has been working as the south west and south Wales regional scout.
Formerly with Southampton, where he discovered Gareth Bale among others, he is a highly-respected name in scouting circles.
Finally, Millington served as education and welfare officer from 2006.
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Paul Hart has insisted it was his decision to stage a dramatic clear-out of Pompey's youth set-up.
A number of the Academy's coaching staff, including Mark Chamberlain and Paul Hardyman, were shown the door on Friday.
They were joined by a member of the Academy administration staff.
In addition, Academy manager Mark Kelly walked out a fortnight ago after becoming disillusioned with life at Fratton Park.
All were instructed they were no longer required by the Blues by director of youth operations Paul Smalley – Hart's replacement.
The news has caused some fans to question whether it was an entirely financially-motivated move rather than for the good of the club.
Others believe Avram Grant is clearing the decks to bring his own staff to Fratton Park.
But, according to Hart, it was entirely his decision and was made in the interests of streamlining the existing set-up.
He said: 'It's part of a plan.
'It's part of restructuring within our Academy system. I look after
football matters and it is part of my plan.
'It needed restructuring.
'That's all there is to say on the matter.'
Hardyman's exit brought an end to nine years working with Fratton Park youngsters.
The former Blues full-back had previously worked in the club's Football in the Community scheme before taking over as youth-team coach in 2006.
Chamberlain had been serving as the under-15/16 co-ordinator, overseeing the development of the likes of England under-16 newcomer Sam Magri.
Under-13/14 co-ordinator Ian White has also been shown the door.
Others include fitness coach Paul 'Chalky' White, head of recruitment Alan Miller and south west and south Wales regional scout Rod Ruddick.
The latter three had all been brought to the club by Hart himself.
However, the club insist they wanted to restructure the system, a move which involved all existing youth-team staff having to reapply for their jobs.
Pompey have swung the axe in a massive clear-out of youth-team coaching staff.
Eight were yesterday shown the Fratton Park door by director of youth operations Paul Smalley.
Leading the way are former Blues favourites Paul Hardyman and Mark Chamberlain.
They have been sacked along with Ian White, Alan Miller, Paul White, Henry Millington and Rod Ruddick.
In addition, a member of the Academy's administration staff was this week also dismissed.
Meanwhile, Academy manager Mark Kelly walked out two weeks ago after becoming disillusioned.
The decisions have come about as Smalley attempts to streamline the youth set-up.
Having taken over from Paul Hart in the summer, the former director of football for New Zealand is keen to stamp his own mark on the club.
Over the past month, existing staff were asked to reapply for their jobs, with many roles scrapped altogether.
The news was yesterday delivered by Smalley to those not required in the restructured set-up.
Pompey director of communications, Gary Double, said: 'This is part of the reorganisation of the business.
'Eight people's jobs have been made redundant, but they have been offered the opportunity to apply for other roles within the club.'
Of those who have departed, it is the highly-regarded Hardyman who is the highest profile casualty.
The former Blues full-back joined the club's Football in the Community scheme back in 2000 and went on to become youth-team coach in 2006.
Meanwhile, as under-15/16 co-ordinator, Chamberlain oversaw the progress of rising star Sam Magri.
The 15-year-old Fratton youngster last week made his England under-16 debut, featuring at the centre of defence.
Ian White served as under-13/14 co-ordinator, while Paul 'Chalky' White spent the last few years serving as a fitness coach after being recruited from Barnsley.
Two Paul Hart appointments in Miller and Ruddick have also departed.
Miller left Aston Villa to become Pompey's head of recruitment just two years ago, but was deemed surplus to requirements.
Ruddick has been working as the south west and south Wales regional scout.
Formerly with Southampton, where he discovered Gareth Bale among others, he is a highly-respected name in scouting circles.
Finally, Millington served as education and welfare officer from 2006.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Paul Hart has insisted it was his decision to stage a dramatic clear-out of Pompey's youth set-up.
A number of the Academy's coaching staff, including Mark Chamberlain and Paul Hardyman, were shown the door on Friday.
They were joined by a member of the Academy administration staff.
In addition, Academy manager Mark Kelly walked out a fortnight ago after becoming disillusioned with life at Fratton Park.
All were instructed they were no longer required by the Blues by director of youth operations Paul Smalley – Hart's replacement.
The news has caused some fans to question whether it was an entirely financially-motivated move rather than for the good of the club.
Others believe Avram Grant is clearing the decks to bring his own staff to Fratton Park.
But, according to Hart, it was entirely his decision and was made in the interests of streamlining the existing set-up.
He said: 'It's part of a plan.
'It's part of restructuring within our Academy system. I look after
football matters and it is part of my plan.
'It needed restructuring.
'That's all there is to say on the matter.'
Hardyman's exit brought an end to nine years working with Fratton Park youngsters.
The former Blues full-back had previously worked in the club's Football in the Community scheme before taking over as youth-team coach in 2006.
Chamberlain had been serving as the under-15/16 co-ordinator, overseeing the development of the likes of England under-16 newcomer Sam Magri.
Under-13/14 co-ordinator Ian White has also been shown the door.
Others include fitness coach Paul 'Chalky' White, head of recruitment Alan Miller and south west and south Wales regional scout Rod Ruddick.
The latter three had all been brought to the club by Hart himself.
However, the club insist they wanted to restructure the system, a move which involved all existing youth-team staff having to reapply for their jobs.