Ex-Cheltenham Town academy manager Tim Bell has said he’ll “forever grateful for the opportunities” at the Robins, having joined Swindon five months ago after leaving Cheltenham, having been in his role for a decade.
“They (Cheltenham) gave me my first coaching opportunity, they gave me my first leadership role. It’s a club, like Swindon, full of great people.
“I look back fondly on the memories that I created there. I’m looking forward to continue creating new memories here at Swindon, with the club and the academy.”
Bell took his new role of Academy Director and Head of Football Development at Swindon Town, a differing role to the one he had at the Robins, one that requires a lot of responsibility.
“Initially it’s been from my side to really interrogate, explore how we plan, how we deliver and how we review and put some additional emphasis on those areas and add a layer of understanding that’s aligned to how we’ve been working.
“Part of the review process for us that has been really important, is understanding how we review and just being clear, concise and giving players clarity on what they need to work on.
“I think that messaging and that feedback to players and parents need to be really understood and really clear so people understand what they need to work on and where things are going.”
It has been a successful start for Bell at Swindon, with the academy seeing an upturn in results since his appointment. Results such as a 5-2 win away at Exeter, 2-1 win away at Forest Green Rovers and a 5-2 win against Bell’s former employers, Cheltenham Town show the success Bell has bought to the club.
“How you quantify success is really important. An academy is more than a win/loss column. I look further afield, to make sure, what does success look like for us and that is some of these things around a safe, fun environment that pushes boundaries and how we do that.
“When we’re seeing players go on loan, we’re seeing players go along to train with the first team or opportunities against the first team they’re all measures of success for the programme.”
Bell has been involved at the academy games on matchday, describing his role on a matchday as “very varied.”
“For me it can look like working with the coaches to support them, something I’ve been doing a lot with the under 16s. To help embed our playing principles, our game module and understanding what the players need. Being that sounding board but also offer observation and feedback to the staff on how they’re performing.
“Walking the corridors, being involved in our daily work is really important to me. So I can step back and have a broader view on everything we’re doing and really understand where we’re really strong, but areas we can really focus on to make everything better.”
The business end of the season is approaching for Swindon Town, Bell’s short term goals are to “continue to build to the long-term vision.”
“In the short-term it’s to continue to observe and reflect as a collective staff on who we are and who we want to become and how we’re going to get there.
“As always supporting the players and the young people to be the best they can be with everything they’re doing in house but also away from us with their education and in their training.”
