UP CLOSE: Crewe Alexandra's new head of recruitment
Crewe Alexandra recently appointed two members to form its new recruitment team - the head of recruitment spoke to Nub News about his role and summer signings.
Josh Kennard and Glyn Chamberlain were officially appointed by Crewe Alexandra on Friday (April 22) - a week before the season ended.
Kennard joined as Crewe's head of recruitment, with Chamberlain joining as recruitment consultant. Both report to first team manager, Alex Morris.
So far under the new recruitment team and new management of Alex Morris and Lee Bell, the Alex have made five summer signings.
Defensive midfielder, Conor Thomas, right-back Kelvin Mellor, forward Courtney Baker-Richardson, playmaking midfielder, Charlie Colkett and centre-back, Rodney McDonald have also penned with the Railwaymen.
Crewe Nub News spoke to Josh Kennard about the new signings and his new role.
Mr Kennard told Nub News: "I am very pleased with the signings we have made. We acted very decisively to get them in.
"Other League One and Two players were interested in the ones we have signed.
"Before, the club hasn't acted as quickly and weren't able to get them - now we can."
Who is Josh Kennard - head of recruitment?
Kennard started out as a Performance Analysis Interim for Conference Premier club Barnet FC in August 2013.
The 25-year-old developed his skills there, also becoming a Football Video Analyst at Smartodds for over five years from 2013 to 2018. He departed from Barnet in May 2014.
Mr Kennard said: "I am really enjoying this role, its different to what I've done so far.
"The challenges of working for a League Two club are different.
"Everyone been welcoming and positive about what myself and Glyn can add to club.
"I am excited for what we can do when we have more time to build the processes the club has lacked for a while."
In the summer of 2017, Kennard became a Junior Analyst at Millwall Football Club.
One year later he became First Team Data and Video Analyst for the club.
By August 2020, Kennard had progressed to become Head of Recruitment Analysis at the championship club and remained in that position until May 2021.
Crewe's new head of recruitment said: "Manager Alex Morris is very friendly and welcoming. When I first met him, got the impression he was forward-thinking. He has been great with me so far.
"Morris is also great at bringing different views all together and is open to having his opinion changed on a player. This one of the most important things for me.
"When you feel strongly about a player and Alex not so much, you have to put down the value they could add to the squad.
"All the debates we have had have been productive. Everyone knows each other have the best interests of the club at heart.
"There is real positivity around the place which is quite rare in a relegated side."
In May 2021, Kennard became Senior Data Scientist at World in Motion.
He had met Artell at this job as part of the consultancy that World in Motion do with clubs.
By February 2022, Kennard had become Head of Talent Identification at the UK sports management company.
Kennard became the new head of recruitment for Crewe Alexandra - just 10 days after David Artell was sacked.
He added: "I spoke to Dave about the role and when he left. I was bit shocked and unsure what to make of it.
"In the conversations I had with the club and with the board, they were very clear they still wanted me and saw I could add to the future of the recruitment department."
Who is recruitment consultant - Glyn Chamberlain?
Chamberlain started out as a professional football player for Burnley in 1974. He also played professionally for Chesterfield (18 appearances) and Halifax Town (35 appearances).
The former defender played non-league football for the likes of Hyde United and Macclesfield town in the 1980s.
Chamberlain has had management roles a number of local non-league football sides. He managed Newcastle Town from 1994 to 1999 and Congleton Town from 1999 to 2001.
The 63-year-old was Crewe Alexandra's Chief Scout between 2005 and 2009, after being spotted by the club's longest ever serving manager Dario Gradi.
Kennard told Nub News: "Me and Glyn haven't really had a chance to go to games. We have had open discussions about players. We see a lot of the same things.
"Some players we agree on and some we disagree on. When there is someone everybody likes, including the coaches, you feel so much more confident in making an offer or signing them."
In March 2017, Chamberlain was appointed Chief Scout for Cardiff City. He has over 40 years scouting experience, also working for the likes of Blackburn Rovers, Burton Albion and Sheffield United.
This Spring, Chamberlain made the decision to come back to Crewe Alexandra. He has since formed a solid partnership with Kennard, the Crewe management team and the Crewe board.
Crewe Alexandra's first match of the season is away to AFC Rochdale on Saturday (July 30) at 3pm.
READ MORE: Council provides update on North West Crewe Package road closures in Leighton.
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