Hibs training centre

Hibs have unveiled the backroom staff who will be in place as they fight to gain promotion from the Championship at the first attempt, including  John Doolan, Andy Holden, player-coach Alan Combe, physiotherapist John Porteous and strength and conditioning coach Paul Green

Former Wales internationalist Holden, 51, will assist Stubbs and brings an extensive amount of top-level coaching experience following a 19-year spell with Everton.

Stubbs told the club website : “I’m really pleased to be able to bring Andy on board. His experience will be a huge help to everybody at the club.

“Everybody in the football department will be able to tap into his immense knowledge, which was gained by working alongside excellent managers such as David Moyes and Walter Smith.

“Going forward, Andy is going to play a big part in what we’re trying to achieve here at Hibs.”

Combe, 40, fulfils a lifelong dream by joining the club and he follows in the footsteps of his feted Great-uncle Bobby – one of Hibernian’s all-time greats.

During a long and successful playing career, Leither  Combe represented St Mirren, Bradford City and Kilmarnock and has already been coaching for three years.

Stubbs believes Combe will help to develop the club’s young keepers while also being an able back-up goalkeeper for the first team.

Stubbs said: “Our young keepers will learn a huge amount from working with Alan – he has a wealth of experience and he is a talented coach.

“He will be another valuable addition to our backroom staff and he will also provide excellent back-up to our first choice goalkeeper when called upon.”

Porteous will become Head Physiotherapist, replacing David Henderson, who has joined Aston Villa, and he brings over two decades worth of experience to the role.

Stubbs added: “I’m also happy to welcome John to the club – he will bring a lot of knowledge and expertise to our medical department.

“John was with Motherwell for 20 years and his appointment is another positive step for Hibernian.

“He is widely considered to be one of the best physiotherapists in the country and his arrival here is another excellent appointment.”

Formerly with Falkirk, strength and conditioning coach Green is another experienced addition to the backroom staff and Stubbs believes these appointments will provide an excellent support structure for the squad.

He said: “We’re aiming to build the best backroom staff we can to ensure our squad have everything they require in order to go out and succeed on the pitch.”

 

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John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.