Solihull Moors have confirmed the appointment of midfielder Darren Carter as the club’s new Academy manager and have also confirmed that the 34-year-old has signed a new one-year deal with the Moors.
The experienced midfielder joined the club last summer and was instantly made club captain. Carter would go on to make 49 appearances in all competitions for the Moors, scoring eight goals, a tally he will look to add to as he extends his stay into the 2018/19 season.
Carter told the club’s official website: “I’m really pleased. It was a no brainer in terms of sitting down and speaking to the gaffer.
“Once I knew that it met up with where I wanted to go as well, it was just a case of getting things dotted and signed.
“I prided myself on being available and playing nearly every game. As captain I tried to do my best to lead and at times it was difficult, but we came through it.”
Carter will combine playing with his new role as Academy manager. The former Birmingham City man has been coaching with the academy since joining the club and his appointment now sees his responsibilities increase with the Moors’ future stars.
Carter said: “My coaching career is in full swing, I’m doing my badges and I had a full year last year coaching in the Academy.
“I’m really grateful for the opportunity given to me at the club. It’s a prestigious role looking after the Academy and the next generation coming through.
“Hopefully we can produce some players that not only get into our first team, but go on to have long careers in the game.
“I pride myself on helping the young players, especially with my age and experience. I’m learning every day.
“I’m really looking forward to it, it should be exciting.”
In other academy news, Solihull Moors have also announced that former Northern Ireland striker James Quinn has been brought into the club to work with the Under-18s side.
The former Tranmere Rovers coach will be working alongside existing academy coaches and staff, as well as current Moors players Liam Daly and Kyle Storer, who will also be joining the Moors Academy setup.
Solihull Moors Sporting Director Mark Fogarty said: “We’ve been working on a vision for the club and a real purpose that everyone knows and is actively involved in.
“The ‘Moor than Eleven’ brand is a part of this. We want a fully integrated football club that can sustain itself as a high performing organisation both on and off the pitch.
“Darren becoming Academy manager is a massive part of this. I wanted to add some real seniority and winning mentality to our fantastic Academy coaches and having Kyle, Liam, Quinny and Darren on board certainly brings togetherness and a real knowledge into the football club.
“It’s a really exciting appointment and time for the club and I truly doubt whether any other club of our level can match what we have.”
