**Colin Clancy Set to Join Club as Sports Scientist This Summer, Bringing Expertise in Player Development**
The club has made a notable addition to its backroom staff with the appointment of Colin Clancy as a Sports Scientist ahead of the new season. Clancy, who most recently served as Head of Physical Performance at Scottish Premiership side Hibernian, will officially take up his new role this summer. His primary responsibility will be to offer dedicated physical performance support to players identified for loan spells — even before they leave the club.
This new role highlights a forward-thinking approach by the club in how it handles player development, particularly for young talents navigating the crucial early stages of their professional careers. Rather than waiting until players are loaned out to assess their needs, Clancy will be working proactively with them to ensure they are physically and mentally ready for the demands of first-team football elsewhere.
Clancy brings a wealth of experience to the position, having previously held a significant role within Middlesbrough’s academy, where he contributed to the growth and conditioning of emerging youth prospects. His time at Hibernian also provided him with a platform to implement modern training methodologies and injury prevention strategies at the top level in Scotland.
With his expertise, Clancy is expected to bridge the gap between the club’s academy and loan destinations, ensuring that players sent out to gain first-team experience are in optimal condition to thrive. His involvement also reflects the growing importance of sports science in football — not just in first-team preparation, but across all levels of player development.
This appointment signifies the club’s commitment to a holistic player care model that focuses on long-term performance, development, and injury resilience. As the summer progresses, Clancy’s integration into the staff will be closely watched, particularly as the club prepares to send several players out on strategic loan spells.
