Pompey appoint Wright to academy recruitment role

Dave Wright, left, and Mark Kelly. Picture: Colin Farmery

Stoke City’s former academy boss has been tasked with driving the Blues’ recruitment of fledgling talent.

For the ex-Trafalgar School pupil, it’s a return home having previously spent almost seven years within Pompey’s youth set-up.

Wright will occupy a newly-created role, primarily concentrating on recruiting players aged from eight to 21.

The 37-year-old’s presence will allow academy boss Mark Kelly to oversee the management of Pompey’s under-18s, along with Liam Daish.

Following the departure of former under-18s coach Mikey Harris in November, Kelly, chief executive Mark Catlin and first-team manager Kenny Jackett have been reviewing the Blues’ youth department.

They have opted for a restructure, dovetailing with Tornante’s vision of strengthening the club’s academy.

Pompey’s owner is eager to develop more home-grown players for first-team duty, with a focus on self-sustainability.

As a result, it has prompted Wright’s return to Pompey.

Having worked with the likes of Conor Chaplin and Adam Webster during his first stint at the club, Wright departed for Stoke’s Category One facility.

He spent six years at the Potters and headed up their youth system in his final three years at the Britainnia Stadium as the club’s Academy director.

After leaving Stoke in June 2016, Wright audited academy set-ups on behalf of the Premier League for Belgian-based company Double Pass.

Yet the former Medina Primary School teacher has retained a house in the area – and has now returned to Pompey.

And Kelly believes Wright’s presence will allow the academy conveyor belt to continue to delivering first-team talent.

Pompey’s Academy boss said: ‘This appointment further strengthens the academy management team and enables me to spend more time out on the grass, focusing on the key under-18 age group.

‘Liam (Daish) and I have a wealth of football experience and are confident this will help both continue and expand on the current treadmill of youth players breaking through into the first team.’