AFC Bournemouth academy manager Joe Roach has announced he will be leaving the Cherries at the end of the season.
Roach has enjoyed two spells on the south coast, spanning 13 years in total.
Roach was part of the Cherries set-up from 2002 until 2011 and had previously been reserves team manager, Head of Youth, Under 18’s manager and had acted as caretaker manager for the first team on two separate occasions.
The youth set-up was his main focus for the majority of his first spell at Dean Court and he had been a major part of a youth system that has developed players like Sam Vokes and Josh McQuoid, who have both gone on to represent Wales and Northern Ireland at full international level respectively.
The sales of those two players, along with another graduate of the youth system in Brett Pitman, had earned the club well over £1million in transfer fees.
The sale of Vokes helped fund the clubs administration in 2008, while the sale of Pitman and McQuoid helped to stabilise the club financially in 2010.
During the 2011/12 season the first team boasted eight players who had graduated from the youth system under Joe Roach (Joe Partington, Dan Thomas, Jayden Stockley, Tim Stephenson, Dan Strugnell, Paddy Hester, Alex Parsons and Danny Ings) with striker Ings later becoming the Cherries first £1million player following his sale to Burnley.
Roach’s achievements down the years were all the more impressive due to the lack of funding that the youth system received from the club.
He returned to AFC Bournemouth under manager Eddie Howe in January 2014.
In November 2014, Baily Cargill who was signed by Roach during his first stint at the club made his England Under 20’s debut, earlier this season he became the first graduate of AFC Bournemouth’s youth system to represent the club in the Premier League, adding another name to Roach’s successes.
AFC Bournemouth Chief executive Neill Blake has confirmed that Roach will receive a testimonial for his loyalty and dedication to AFC Bournemouth.
Roach told afcb.co.uk…
“I have been proud to be a part of such a great club for such a long time, I`ve worked with some fantastic people and players, and it is always a special feeling when someone you have worked with goes on to have a career in the game.
“The club has been on an incredible journey, we`ve overcome some unique challenges, and I am proud to be leaving with us thriving in the greatest league in the world.
“I believe the Academy is in an excellent position and well placed to continue developing young players, with a fantastic training ground and hugely committed, enthusiastic and talented staff.
“I wish the very best to all the Academy players and their families, and hope all their aspirations are accomplished.”
Your Say…
AlGard wrote…
Thanks Joe. A brilliant servant to the club. – Join the conversation here.
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