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Story courtesy of Burton Mail
Brian Bagnall sacked last season by Burton Albion from his post of youth development officer has joined Gresley Rovers.
Bignall, a housing official at Burton Town Hall, has been detailed to set up a youth scheme at the Moat Ground.And last night he warned his old bosses: “You can forget about signing the pick of the local youngsters. They’ll be going with me to Gresley.”
Bignall got his Eton Park marching orders for “farming out” talented teenagers on Albion’s books to Football League clubs.
He said: “My role at Gresley will be much the same as it was at Burton. The only difference is that Rovers have given me their blessing to fix youngsters up with League clubs if they are good enough.”
Rovers will field a team in the FA Youth Cup and will also be playing in the Midlands Youth Floodlit League after a three-year absence.
Albion, meanwhile, believe their successful youth policy will continue without Bagnall at the helm.
Chairman Sam Brassington said today: “Frankly, we hadn’t even noticed that Mr Bagnall had left the club. We’ve got several people interested in the job of youth development officer and the process of developing young talent at Eton Park will continue. Our record for getting young players into the Football League is second to none – but only after they have been properly handled and not treated like pieces of meat.
“I’m surprised Mr Bignall has gone to Gresley. No disrespect to them because they’re a smashing club, but he always intimated to me that he was wanted by just about every top club in the country.”
