DAVE CHALLINOR'S ex-Tranmere Rovers team-mate Alex Hay has been appointed as AFC Fylde's new chief scout.
The 34-year-old has been drafted in by the National League North outfit to oversee the introduction of a scouting network at the club.
He will watch games, produce match reports on opposition teams and highlight potential new recruits for first team boss Challinor.
Hay started scouting at Chester before moving into a full-time role with Tranmere. After leaving Prenton Park, he worked for Eastleigh before joining Fylde's league rivals Stockport County as chief scout in the summer.
The new recruit said: “I'm delighted to be joining the club. The prospect of what lies ahead and what the club are hoping to achieve really excites me. We are building foundations for the future and the chairman's ambition is something that really stood out for me.
“I played with Chally at Tranmere and we have kept in touch ever since. The club were looking to appoint and I had just left Stockport so this was perfect timing for both parties.”
Challinor added: “This is something, in terms of scouting and recruitment, that the chairman and I have wanted to implement for some time. It has taken time to work out what we want from the role and most importantly who was the best person to fill it.
“I'd spoken to Alex in the summer and explained that we were looking at this area but we were undecided whether it would be a part-time or a full-time role. In the meantime a role came up with Neil Young at Stockport and we weren't in a position to proceed.
“Alex has since moved on from Stockport and the timing was perfect for him to come in with us. Alex has great experience, knowledge and contacts at this level and in the league's above. This is the start of the process for us and not only are we looking to recruit players ready for the first team, but also rough diamonds that we can coach and develop for the future.”
