Former Forest Green and Cheltenham Town media officer Richard Joyce has joined Weston-super-Mare’s backroom staff.
Joyce will provide opposition analyst reports for manager Scott Bartlett, who he worked with previously at Forest Green.
Despite his move to the National League South new boys, Joyce will continue his role as first-team manager at Hellenic League Premier Division side Thornbury Town.
Joyce joins the Seagulls with a raft of experience from his time at League Two Forest Green and latterly at League One Cheltenham Town. He has also worked at non-league Evesham United and Brimscombe & Thrupp.
Weston boss Scott Bartlett welcomed his appointment, he told the WSM website: “Richard is someone I’ve been keen to get into Weston-super-Mare AFC for a long time. We worked closely together at Forest Green Rovers and have remained in contact. He also worked for a long time at Cheltenham Town on the media side and is someone I’ve leaned on whilst at Weston.
“Joycey is extremely organised, thorough, professional and will give us extensive knowledge of opposition. He will also help me with recruitment and provide us with analysis of our own performances as a team and individuals.
“Analysis takes a lot of time, so a lot of our work will be done away from the club. He is a fountain of knowledge and has worked at virtually every level in non-league and in League One, so I’m delighted to have him on board.”
Joyce said: “I’m really pleased to be coming on board at Weston for the new season.
“I’ve done some bits and pieces on and off for the club for several seasons from a scouting and recruitment perspective in Scott’s two stints as manager, so to have a more formal position at an exciting point in the club’s history is great.
“I feel like I’ve already got a good understanding of the club from those experiences and I know how much of a progressive set-up it is. The club has an excellent reputation in the football community, especially at a higher level.
“My role is going to be balanced with my position three levels down in the Hellenic Premier Division at Thornbury Town as first-team manager where I’m fortunate to be part of another great club, working with a brilliant set of players and committee. My work with Weston will also hopefully benefit that, and likewise the other way with what I’m doing at Thornbury.
“I’ve worked with Scott for several years having started off at Forest Green Rovers with him. I’ve got a good understanding of how he works and what he wants from his players and team, so we can hit the ground running and ensure that we’re in a really strong position from day one from my area of involvement at the club heading into the new season”.
