“I started doing a football degree not really knowing what I wanted to do, I did a sports science module and I’m quite interested in how data and statistics can be used as well as the video angle of it. It all makes sense to me and I’m really enjoying doing it”, Andy said.

Andy and Sam met whilst doing the same degree, despite going down different paths the two will be reunited in the Academy.

“I met Sam about a year ago, I just got chatting to him and he found out that I’m interested in developing a career in performance analysis.

“He let me know about the plans for the academy and that he was looking for people to get involved and I’m quite interested in the fact it’s developing a new part of the club.

“It seems like Sam and the wider coaching team involved are quite receptive to using it. I’m excited to get stuck in here and try to use it to its full potential and obviously it will be a massive learning process for me as well because I’m just starting with my journey on it.”

Andy has a very important role to play in assisting the coaching staff and making sure the players can develop with the use of technology, something Andy is keen to get off the ground in the Academy.

“I’ve done some work with Sheffield United’s education teams and Ossett United’s first team over the past two seasons but wasn’t able to use analysis to its full potential due to various constraints typically found in those environments.

“I think this set-up with the younger lads and ex-academy players coming in, they are going to be receptive to using analysis and hopefully find it beneficial for their development.”

Andy has also provided an insight into his role for the Academy: “My role will consist of videoing matches, providing clips of different aspects of the game for coaches to analyse, along with working individually with players to work on the finer details of their performance. These are the small percentages that can make a big difference”.

New Academy Manager Sam Sutton added “I’m delighted to welcome Andy to our coaching team. Andy’s role will certainly give us an edge over our opponents and knowing Andy well, I know he will work hard to make this aspect of our academy a big success. Andy’s role is fairly unique at this level of football so I’m sure our future players will benefit from the added value that Andy will bring to us.”

There will be another announcement soon with news of the next name to join the academy coaching staff.