The new role will see Stuart play a key part in helping the club’s young players transition from youth team to first-team football, while keeping a close eye on the development of players out on loan/dual registration with other clubs.

Stuart’s appointment as Pathways Manager is a continuation of the club’s long-standing commitment to developing young players and his expertise in the position is expected to help maximise the development of the young Rebels.

First Team & Academy Manager Chris Agutter explained, “Stu will help myself and Nath to manage our young players’ progression from the Academy into Senior Football.

“It’s incredibly important that we give our exciting young talent the best opportunity possible to successfully transition into our First Team, and part of this is ensuring loans, duel-registrations, the Academy games programme and more are posing the right challenges at the right time to help maximise the development of our homegrown players.”

Stuart has been a stalwart at the club over the last eight years, volunteering as a kitman alongside his coaching duties with the club’s youth teams. He will continue in his role as Lead Youth Coach with the club’s U18s and U16s teams.

Stuart added, “I would like to thank Chris and Nathan for giving me this opportunity to continue my growth with the football club and for allowing me to support and develop the young talents we have at this club.”