Strength and Conditioning Coach Nick Donnelly and Sports Therapist Luke Smith have both agreed deals to remain with Stockport County next season.
The pair have played an important role during County’s run to the Play Offs this season, as the number of injuries amongst the squad has been kept to a minimum. Players returning from injury have also benefited from the experience of Luke and Nick during the campaign.
Manager Jim Gannon says he is pleased to be able to retain the pair for next season:
‘’I’m delighted to have secured the services of both Luke Smith and Nick Donnelly for next season. With myself and Dave Conlon already contracted for next season I feel we are heading forward with a good strong core of staff.
“Over the course of this season we have seen a major change within the club with regard to staff. Since I have arrived at the club I have had a number of staff changes to deal with which have been beyond my control. This year saw major disruption early on in the season with three members of staff all choosing to leave at short notice. Due to the nature of their opportunities we didn’t want to inhibit their own progress and wished them well in leaving the club. However, it did create concern and short term difficulties which we worked hard to overcome. We now have reverted to a tighter group of staff who I have worked previously with and have complete trust in. Dave, Nick and Luke have fulfilled their roles extremely well and shown great commitment to the changing structures at the club.
“The extra hours put in by Nick and Luke on Monday mornings and evenings has allowed us to provide an extra training session to all players and with the full professional staff in place to make sessions worthwhile and productive. I feel the upturn in their hours and the consequent productivity has been a major aspect in our continued improvement as a team. We are heading into the final part of the season with a very strong, well conditioned squad and that is credit to both the staff and the players themselves buying into the growth potential of extra training and support structures.
“A further positive of Nick and Luke’s commitment is that they have the desire and potential to further extend their working hours at the club should the club expand its practices towards a complete full time structure. We are very focused on now, the coming month and the season ahead, but we need to be constantly preparing strategically for further growth. We are keenly aware that a return to full time professional football at the club will be required to compete as we look to progress to higher levels.”
