Club news

Weir: It's Been A Learning Experience

By James Hilsum • 11 June 2019

By Paul Hazlewood
Albion loan manager David Weir.

Brighton & Hove Albion pathway development manager David Weir assessed his 12 months in the job, and explained how the hard work continues during the summer off-season.

Weir took up the newly-created role in July last year, and spoke about how his job has taken shape during this time.

He said, “It’s been a learning experience, as it’s a new role for both myself and the club. A lot of it has been about establishing contacts and gaining knowledge of all the different leagues.

“There’s good support in terms of the medical and sports science side of things, while Dan Ashworth and Paul Winstanley have been very helpful.

“There are a lot of good analysts at the club that can help me too, with detailed information and getting access to information we need. There’s lots of support at the club, and everyone has been very welcoming in terms of making the department continuously better.”

The former Rangers and Everton man delved into how support differs for the various players out on loan, and stressed the importance of making each individual feel valued.

“We had a lot of players out on loan at all different levels. Some senior players were out getting games, who needed less managing and contact time.

“Then there were some players that were bought and went straight back out on loan, so I’m their main point of contact at the football club. Those players need more care and communication, and I will try to see them as often as I can.

“There are also a number of younger players out on loan, and it’s about going to watch their games and talking to their coaches and managers.

“You want to get this background information about the players in terms of how things are going and if there’s anything more we can do to support them.”

Weir and his team are set for a busy summer and says the work does not stop, as preparations for the new season gather momentum.

“It will be about assessing the loans that have just ended, measuring how they’ve gone and what we can learn from them.

“Then we’ll start planning for next season. With the change in manager, he’ll have his new ideas, and we’ll need to factor that in as well.”