Boss Malcolm completes backroom team
Ahead of the new Lowland League season getting underway on July 17, where the ‘Gers face Caledonian Braves at Shielfield Park, boss Stuart Malcolm has completed his backroom team for the season.
The team, in full, is as follows:
Dean Shanks – Assistant Manager
Dean joined the ‘Gers on June 1 2021, becoming Stuart Malcolm’s Assistant Manager.
Previously manager with Hawick Royal Albert, Dean probably has fond memories of Shielfield Park having led the side to a famous 3-2 victory over the ‘Gers back in October 2016.
Following his time with Hawick, Dean moved on to Gala Fairydean Rovers where he led the side to an eighth placed finish in the Lowland League during the 2018/19 campaign – as well as the Third Round of the Scottish Cup.
Jonathan Craig – Goalkeeping Coach
Jonathan Craig rejoined the Borderers last month as Goalkeeping Coach, having previously been with the club in the same role from 2015 to 2017.
Not too long after his departure from the ‘Gers, Jonathan moved to India to join I-League side Real Kashmir, where he spent the last couple of years before returning towards the back end of last season as part of Falkirk’s new backroom staff team.
Rhanna Misselbrook – Physiotherapist
Rhanna Misselbrook has recently joined the club as Physiotherapist and is fulfilling all of the duties with the players at training nights and on matchdays.
Rhanna, who recently completed her HND in Sports Therapy, is also working on the current COVID testing requirements set down by the Scottish Government and the SFA.
Scott Mackenzie – Kit Assistant
Scott Mackenzie joined the Stuart’s management team after spending the last 4 years at his hometown club Penicuik Athletic as a coach.
Prior to this Scott has spent time with both Hawick Royal Albert and Gala Fairydean Rovers..
Dan Crowe – Performance Analyst
Dan Crowe joined the club last season with the accountability for breaking down the performance of the squad during games into statistics and facts that will allow the management team to shape the training the following week accordingly.
Dan also prepares scouting information on forthcoming opponents, with the incredible attention to detail in his work already impressing the new manager.
Jonny Murray – Strength & Conditioning Coach
With an Applied Sports Science BSc Hons, Jonny has joined the backroom team as Strength & Conditioning Coach and will work with the team at training and on matchdays.
He brings to his role at Shielfield Park experience as a speed and conditioning coach in rugby and in a gym environment.
Graciano Oliveira – Sport Scientist
Finally, Graciano Oliveira joins as a Sport Scientist with an Applied Sports Science BSc Hons.
Graciano has extensive experience in GPS data collection and analysis in football, which will allow the management team the chance to optimise the data gathered from training to a matchday which, alongside Dan’s performance analysis, will help with team selection.
Both Jonny and Graciano have been kindly placed at the club as a result of the partnership and friendship with Athlete Focused, one of Scotland’s leading sports consulting practices.
Athlete Focused is led by former Kilmarnock and current Glasgow City FC and Scotland WNT Physical Performance Consultant Andy White,who will also support the club in the background.
Commenting on the appointments, Director Dave Buglass said: “There’s really no such thing as a part-time football manager at any level of the game.
“The need to prepare, analyse and condition a team at this level are significant and time consuming. By putting these resources together through partnerships, we believe we are giving Stuart and Dean the very best chance to succeed.”
