By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC joint head coaches Andy Coyles and Richie Hill have added to their back room staff with the appointment of Lee Barrass as goalkeeping coach.

Coyles said: “Lee has got a good background within the non league circuit. He has worked at all levels in the game in and around the North East and he’s got a fantastic reputation. It’s certainly an area on a coaching front that we have lacked and it’s another area we are looking to improve and develop.”

He continued: “Lee is going to be working quite closely with goalkeepers Dan Staples and Ross Coombe and it helps that they know each other and have worked together in the past. We are really looking forward to Lee joining the management team and it’s another mild step in developing and progressing the squad.”

Barrass who operated in a similar role with West Auckland last season said: “I already know Dan (Staples) and Ross (Coombe) and the set up here at Ashington is really nice.  I live in Wallsend so it’s fairly local to me and I’m looking forward to meeting the team and for us to be one big unit.”

The 46 year old was previously at Bishop Auckland for a period of five years and also served Blyth Spartans and Darlington as goalkeeping coach in the National League North. He added: “I’ve got nearly 20 years of experience behind me as a ‘keeper and I can’t wait to get started.”