Evening Echo
The News
BOURNEMOUTH’S surprise success has been one of the biggest stories in the Premier League season.
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Echo News How two ex Shrimpers are helping Bournemouth shine in Premier League season
- Thread starter Evening Echo
- Start date
Suffolk Shrimper In Dorset
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Can someone please paste in the article here. Thank you.
BOURNEMOUTH’S surprise success has been one of the biggest stories in the Premier League season.
But what be less unknown is that two former Southend United team-mates are playing a key part in the Cherries campaign.
Ex Shrimpers defender Simon Francis is the club’s technical director while his former Roots Hall team-mate Matt Harrold is now responsible for loan moves made the club’s young players.
And it is a role the ex Blues striker is relishing.
“I’m the loan manager which looks after all the pathways for the players,” Harrold told the Echo.
“It’s quite an important role at a club like that because we’ve got big squads and we’ve got to maximise their value, their potential and themselves for the club.
“That’s both from an ability perspective and a business one too.
“It’s a really good role but I also do the recruitment and go to a lot of games.
“I do a lot of reports and will watch players around Europe.
“We’ve got a data model so I’ll get names to go and watch and do reports on.
“I love it and it’s been brilliant since I’ve done it.”
Bournemouth are currently seventh in the Premier League standings and take on Wolves in the fifth round of the FA Cup this weekend.
And Harrold is certain having the right kind of people at the club has proved key for the Cherries.
“It’s a great club and when you’re around it you see it’s really good people whoa are involved with it,” said Harrold.
“It’s the same as when I was with Leyton Orient.
“If the people are good, honest and hardworking then often you will get a lot of success and consistency.
“That’s the key - it’s good, professional people and high standards.”
Harrold’s long playing career also helped to instil those believes.
But the 40-year-old initially seemed set for a career in coaching after opting to hang up his boots.
“I always thought I would stay in football to be honest,” said Harrold.
“I have such big passion and love for it so I was hoping to stay in it but it’s hard to know exactly what’s going to happen.
“When you’re a lower league player you’ve earnt an OK living but you haven’t bought yourself enough time to really pick and choose what you do.
“You have to be prepared for what you’re given but I was lucky I was in a good position at Leyton Orient.
“I finished playing and they thought I would be of value as a coach.
“I went into that and had a great four years coaching.
“We won League Two and were competitive in League One so it was an ideal transition for me.
“It’s not always that easy but I loved it.”
And, at that point, a role in management seemed a long-term aim for Harrold.
“The goal, if you coach, I think is you want to become a manager,” he said.
“It might have been the route I went down and I did do it on an interim basis.
“Being totally honest I enjoyed when you get results but when you didn’t it was horrible.
“It was a lonely place but I get it can be an addictive job because you’re always chasing that high.
“You’re setting a team up and having a plan so I did think management might be the next step.”
However. Harrold eventually opted to head in a different direction.
“I took a decision to go down the upstairs route,” said Harrold.
“I work below Franno who everyone will know at Southend.
“He’s the technical director and I think that’s the route I’ll go down.
“My worry to start with was moving away from that training ground environment every day but it’s honestly been great.”
Bournemouth will now look to finish the season strongly.
And Harrold believes the way the club have overcome financial difficulties before working their way up the leagues offers teams experiencing their own troubles hope for the future.
“Leyton Orient and Southend have both been through tough spells,” said Harrold.
“The fan bases have been through a lot but there can be a big light at the end of the tunnel if you keep going.”
Harrold also overcame tough times during his own playing career.
But, despite not hitting the heights he wanted to while with the Shrimpers, he is still keen to see his former club succeed.
“Everyone knows, who is old enough, that it didn’t go perfectly for me but I have no regrets,” said Harrold.
“I still live in the area and look out for the results.
“I know Kev (Maher) and I’ve spoken to him about players over the last year or so.
“Southend is a club that’s getting itself sorted.
“I think people don’t realise it can sometimes take a bit longer than you think after what it’s been through.
“I wish them every success and while it wasn’t the ideal move for me I wish them well.
“It’s a big club and whenever I’ve been there the support has been incredible.”
The Shrimpers head to Yeovil Town, another of Harrold’s former teams this weekend.
And the former forward hopes Blues can finish the season in the top seven.
“It’s an important game tomorrow but I hope Southend can do it this season,” said Harrold.
“If they do make the play-offs I don’t think many teams would want to play against them. “
But what be less unknown is that two former Southend United team-mates are playing a key part in the Cherries campaign.
Ex Shrimpers defender Simon Francis is the club’s technical director while his former Roots Hall team-mate Matt Harrold is now responsible for loan moves made the club’s young players.
And it is a role the ex Blues striker is relishing.
“I’m the loan manager which looks after all the pathways for the players,” Harrold told the Echo.
“It’s quite an important role at a club like that because we’ve got big squads and we’ve got to maximise their value, their potential and themselves for the club.
“That’s both from an ability perspective and a business one too.
“It’s a really good role but I also do the recruitment and go to a lot of games.
“I do a lot of reports and will watch players around Europe.
“We’ve got a data model so I’ll get names to go and watch and do reports on.
“I love it and it’s been brilliant since I’ve done it.”
Bournemouth are currently seventh in the Premier League standings and take on Wolves in the fifth round of the FA Cup this weekend.
And Harrold is certain having the right kind of people at the club has proved key for the Cherries.
“It’s a great club and when you’re around it you see it’s really good people whoa are involved with it,” said Harrold.
“It’s the same as when I was with Leyton Orient.
“If the people are good, honest and hardworking then often you will get a lot of success and consistency.
“That’s the key - it’s good, professional people and high standards.”
Harrold’s long playing career also helped to instil those believes.
But the 40-year-old initially seemed set for a career in coaching after opting to hang up his boots.
“I always thought I would stay in football to be honest,” said Harrold.
“I have such big passion and love for it so I was hoping to stay in it but it’s hard to know exactly what’s going to happen.
“When you’re a lower league player you’ve earnt an OK living but you haven’t bought yourself enough time to really pick and choose what you do.
“You have to be prepared for what you’re given but I was lucky I was in a good position at Leyton Orient.
“I finished playing and they thought I would be of value as a coach.
“I went into that and had a great four years coaching.
“We won League Two and were competitive in League One so it was an ideal transition for me.
“It’s not always that easy but I loved it.”
And, at that point, a role in management seemed a long-term aim for Harrold.
“The goal, if you coach, I think is you want to become a manager,” he said.
“It might have been the route I went down and I did do it on an interim basis.
“Being totally honest I enjoyed when you get results but when you didn’t it was horrible.
“It was a lonely place but I get it can be an addictive job because you’re always chasing that high.
“You’re setting a team up and having a plan so I did think management might be the next step.”
However. Harrold eventually opted to head in a different direction.
“I took a decision to go down the upstairs route,” said Harrold.
“I work below Franno who everyone will know at Southend.
“He’s the technical director and I think that’s the route I’ll go down.
“My worry to start with was moving away from that training ground environment every day but it’s honestly been great.”
Bournemouth will now look to finish the season strongly.
And Harrold believes the way the club have overcome financial difficulties before working their way up the leagues offers teams experiencing their own troubles hope for the future.
“Leyton Orient and Southend have both been through tough spells,” said Harrold.
“The fan bases have been through a lot but there can be a big light at the end of the tunnel if you keep going.”
Harrold also overcame tough times during his own playing career.
But, despite not hitting the heights he wanted to while with the Shrimpers, he is still keen to see his former club succeed.
“Everyone knows, who is old enough, that it didn’t go perfectly for me but I have no regrets,” said Harrold.
“I still live in the area and look out for the results.
“I know Kev (Maher) and I’ve spoken to him about players over the last year or so.
“Southend is a club that’s getting itself sorted.
“I think people don’t realise it can sometimes take a bit longer than you think after what it’s been through.
“I wish them every success and while it wasn’t the ideal move for me I wish them well.
“It’s a big club and whenever I’ve been there the support has been incredible.”
The Shrimpers head to Yeovil Town, another of Harrold’s former teams this weekend.
And the former forward hopes Blues can finish the season in the top seven.
“It’s an important game tomorrow but I hope Southend can do it this season,” said Harrold.
“If they do make the play-offs I don’t think many teams would want to play against them. “
Strykr
Manager
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