Meet The Management
Manager - Brian Laws
Burnley Football Club appointed Brian Laws as first team manager in January 2010.
The former Clarets defender and ex-Sheffield Wednesday manager signed a two-and-a-half-year contract at Turf Moor.
Laws is well known to Clarets fans, after starting his playing career at Turf Moor in the eighties.
After almost a decade in charge at Scunthorpe, he moved into the Hillsborough hot-seat in November 2006, becoming Sheffield Wednesday's ninth manager in 11 years.
Indeed Laws holds the distinction of achieving the Owls' three highest league positions since the club's relegation, as he took on the challenge of reviving the steel city side's fortunes during his thee years in charge.
After fighting off relegation in his second season, Laws guided the Owls to a respectable mid-table finish in 2008/09, operating on one of the lowest budgets in the league as the club were crippled by debt.
That season he also earned his place in the history books after becoming the first manager for 95 years to do the double over neighbours Sheffield United.
Last season Laws' side took six points off Burnley with a 4-1 win on the opening day at Hillsborough, followed by a 4-2 victory in the reverse fixture at Turf Moor in February.
The 48-year-old left Wednesday by mutual consent in December 2009 after 154 games in charge.
Laws, who took Scunthorpe twice to promotion in 1999 and 2005, learnt his trade as player-manager with Grimsby, spending just under two years at the helm, following a successful playing career which began here at Burnley.
A former team-mate of Martin Dobson and Vince Overson, the right-back joined as an apprentice in 1978, securing a regular slot in the Clarets' side in the early 80's, making over 150 appearances for the club and winning a 'Young Player of the Year' award, before joining Huddersfield in 1983.
After a short spell with Middlesbrough, Laws became part of Brian Clough's legendary Nottingham Forest team for six seasons.
Assistant Manager - Russ Wilcox
Russ Wilcox, 45, is a former player who played for Northampton Town, Hull City, Doncaster Rovers, Preston North End and Scunthorpe United.
During his 16 year playing career, he enjoyed promotions with Northampton Town, Preston North End and Scunthorpe United, making over 550 apperances.
He was appointed as Assistant Manager to Brian at Scunthorpe United following their play-off promotion to League 1 in 1999 and combined the role with playing until 2002.
Automatic promotion followed in 2005 before Russ made the switch to Sheffield Wednesday with Brian in November 2006.
As mentioned above, Brian and Russ enjoyed gaining the 3 highest league positions for Sheffield Wednesday since the club's relegation from the Premier League in 2000, as well as acheiving the first 'Steel City Derby Double' in 95 years in the 2008/09 season.
He is a UEFA Pro Licence holder and has also successfully completed the LMA/PFA's Certificate in Applied Management course.
Russ was delighted to join Burnley Football Club as Assistant Manager in January 2010.
First-Team Coach - Stuart Gray
49 year-old Gray was appointed manager of Northampton Town in January 2007, but was dismissed from the post in September 2009 following a poor run of form after the Cobblers were relegated to League Two.
The midfielder, who has enjoyed successful coaching spells with Southampton, Wolves and Aston Villa, started his playing career with Nottingham Forest, emerging from the youth system, before joining Barnsley in 1984, where he continued to build a reputation as a steady and versatile player.
After winning promotion with Aston Villa in 1988, Gray joined Southampton in September 1991, making 12 appearances before a serious achilles tendon injury ended his playing career.
In March 2001 he initially took over as caretaker manager at The Dell following Glen Hoddle's departure, before taking the role on a permanent basis as the Saints moved to their new St Mary's Stadium. During his brief tenure in the hotseat, Gray broke Southampton's transfer record, signing Rory Delap for a £4 million fee.
Billy Mercer - Goalkeeping Coach
Goalkeeper Billy Mercer started his career with hometown club Liverpool, but after struggling to breakthrough to the first team he joined Rotherham United in 1989, making 138 appearances for the Millers during his five-and -a half -year stay at Millmoor.
In October 1994 he signed for local rivals Sheffield United, spending just over a year at Bramall Lane. After failing to gain a regular slot in the Blades' starting eleven, loan spells at Nottingham Forest and Chesterfield followed.
Mercer made the switch to Saltergate permanent in December 1995 and established himself as first choice between the sticks over the next four seasons, which included a run to the 1997 FA Cup Semi Final against Middlesbrough.
By the 1999/2000 season Mercer had slipped down the packing order and joined Bristol City, making 32 appearances in his first season, remaining on their books until he retired from professional football in January 2003.
Mercer was appointed as a goalkeeping coach at Ashton Gate, where he impressed and was subsequently brought to Hillsborough in summer 2004. Following Paul Sturrock's dismissal in October 2006, Mercer acted as caretaker assistant manager to Sean McAuley, before the arrival of Brian Laws and Russ Wilcox in November 2006.
Tim Henderson - Chief Scout
As Chief Scout, Tim Henderson will fill a key role within the football operations at Turf Moor. Considerably experienced, Henderson comes with an excellent track record in analysis and recruitment of senior players, having set up the independent Scouting Network - a comprehensive database of more than 40,000 players which the Clarets can now tap into.
Burnley have therefore secured not only a top notch professional on the club's football staff but are also able to draw on the resources of a substantial and thorough scouting network.
Henderson's role also encompasses match analysis of opposing teams, helping the Clarets' players and coaching staff prepare more thoroughly for games.
Graham Alexander - Player-Coach
Following the appointment of Brian Laws as first team manager, Burnley handed veteran Graham Alexander a role as player-coach.
The 38 year-old, who has completed his coaching badges, is a highly respected figure at Turf Moor, where he has been instrumental in the club's recent success.
In addition to his on-field duties Alexander will aid new manager Brian Laws and assistant manager Russ Wilcox in working with the first team.
Tom Little - Fitness Coach
Fitness Coach Tom Little, who has previously worked with Manchester City, Bolton and Wigan, is the man charged with ensuring all bases are covered in terms of the Burnley squad's physical shape, making sure the players are in tip-top condition for the rigours of Premier League football.
Martin Dobson - Director of Youth Development
Clarets' legend Martin Dobson was appointed Director of Youth Development at Turf Moor in August 2008.
Mr Dobson, made almost 500 appearances for the Clarets and captained the club in two spells during the 1970s and 1980s.
His prime responsibility is to oversee the recruitment of young players and help the youth development team, led by Vince Overson, to develop the stars of tomorrow.
Physiotherapist - Andy Mitchell
Andy arrived at Turf Moor in 2004, shortly after former manager Steve Cotterill was appointed.
A fully qualified and chartered physiotherapist with a degree from Bradford University, 'Mitch' had previously worked under Cotterill and was physio at Cheltenham Town between the years of 1999 and 2002 before beginning a Masters Degree in Sport and Exercise Science at Leeds University.
Whilst studying for his Masters on a part time basis, Andy has broadened his CV with clinical skills, including hospital work and the treatment of cricketers.
He was always keen on a return to football though and after a spell at Whaddon Road, he remains a valuable asset behind the scenes at Turf Moor.
Andy is ably assisted by in his duties by Luke Bussey and Andy Schofield.
