St Mirren Football Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Peter Hartley as our new Head of First Team Transition and Loan Pathways.
The 36-year-old takes the role vacated by Brian Kerr who was named as assistant manager last week.
As a player, Peter began his career at Sunderland before moving to Hartlepool United in 2009. The Englishman would have spells at Stevenage, Plymouth Argyle, Bristol Rovers and Blackpool before moving north to work with Saints manager Stephen Robinson at Motherwell.
After leaving Motherwell, Peter joined Indian Super League side Jamshedpur where he stayed for two years before returning to his hometown club Hartlepool. Following a short stay at Hartlepool, Peter moved to India once again to sign for newly formed I-League side Inter Kashi. He announced his retirement from playing in August of this year.
Speaking to stmirren.com, Peter told of his excitement of taking on the new role: "I spoke to the manager, Keith Lasley and Brian Kerr. It's been a very easy transition for me and I'm happy to be here.
The manager has really high standards but I knew that coming in. I know exactly what he is about and with me being a young coach, making the transition from playing, I don't think there is a better person to learn from.
"I'm going to be the link between the academy and the first team. I'll help with the manager and Brian to put on first team training sessions.
"We had a bounce game on Monday and I got a chance to see some of the quality coming through so I'm very eager to work with them and improve them even more.
"There's a good setup, a very good group of players with good attitude and coachable so I'm excited to get going."
Manager Stephen Robinson said: "Peter was my captain at Motherwell and I stayed in touch with him in terms of his progression as a coach.
"He's an ex-player with a lot of experience, close with the dressing room and only just finished playing a year ago after a good career.
"He's coached in India, he's worked under the Atletico Madrid banner as well for a team that was associated in India and he's been working at Sunderland with the younger age groups as well so certainly fits the profile for that role.
We spoke to numerous people. We wanted somebody that had coaching experience but was also still aligned with the dressing room. We also wanted someone that had worked in a development role and had the relevant qualifications which Peter certainly does.
"He comes with a really good history of playing and understands what it takes to be a professional footballer in Scotland.
"He will work every day with the first team and the biggest thing is to bridge the gap between the under 18s and the first team. He'll manage the loan players, to ensure all the aspects that we believe will develop those players for now and further down the line. It's a big role for the club and important we've got the right person."
Chief Operating Officer Keith Lasley added: "The club has made significant progress on and off the pitch over the last couple of years.
In order for the club to continue to compete and grow, we must establish and deliver a long-term, strategic plan for player development.The creation of this new role, and the appointment of Peter, is another key step in implementing this at St Mirren."
