Forest Green legend Yan Klukowski has taken up the role as head of academy at the National League Club.
Replacing Hannah Dingley, who has joined the FAI, Klukowski has spent several seasons working under Dingley and will be stepping up from his position as lead development coach with the U9-U12 age group.
The 37-year-old spent four seasons at the club as a player between 2010-2014 and made 161 appearances scoring 49 goals and making 18 assists.
His box-to-box running and eye for a goal made him a real favourite amongst the fans under David Hockaday.
“Hannah has left the Academy in an incredibly strong position and everyone at FGR wish her well in her new role with the FAI”
Yan klukowski
In a rich playing career, Chippenham-born Klukowski went on to play for Newport County in League Two before spells at York City, Chippenham Town, Torquay, Kidderminster, Hungerford and Hereford. His coaching career has also seen him at Gloucester City and Hereford United.
On taking the job, Klukowski said: “I am extremely proud to be announced as Head of Academy at FGR and thank the club for trusting me to be at the forefront in building on the amazing work that has been achieved up until this point.
“Having spent 10 years at FGR as a player and an Academy coach, the support, guidance and life experience the club has provided me with has shaped me as a developer of people, which I am extremely passionate about.
“Along with our highly skilled staff, I wholeheartedly look forward to passing on those experiences to our wonderfully talented children, helping them to reach their full potential as a player and as a person. We look forward with excitement about what the future holds at FGR.
“I would also like thank Hannah Dingley for her work over the past five seasons. Hannah has left the Academy in an incredibly strong position and everyone at FGR wish her well in her new role with the FAI.”
Chairman Dale Vince added: “Yan has been a part of FGR for over a decade now, from his time as a fan favourite on the pitch and more recently as a key part of our Academy.
“Without doubt he’ll do a fantastic job guiding our young players and we’re chuffed to be making this appointment.”
