Paul Jewell says new scout David Hamilton’s role at Town will involve him looking for new players in the north and overseas. Jewell confirmed that Hamilton, his former Wigan and Derby chief scout, would be joining his staff earlier in the week, having left Walsall where he held a similar position last month.
Jewell says Hamilton will work alongside chief scout Steve McCall: "We’re always looking for good players whatever creed or nationality they are. I think bringing David in full-time helps Steve McCall. We’re an awful long way from anywhere here, so there’s an awful lot of travelling involved.
"David will cover maybe the north and go abroad and will work closely with Steve and myself about players. He knows what sort of players I want, he’s worked with me before and he’s a good addition to our squad.”
But despite having a lot of faith in Hamilton’s abilities, he dismisses widespread reports claiming that the 50-year-old was responsible for bringing Antonio Valencia to Wigan, the winger eventually moving on to Manchester United for £16 million: "No he didn’t, I did! Make sure you get that!
"I watched Valencia to play against Poland for Ecuador in Germany in the World Cup and he was outstanding. When I checked my records I couldn’t believe that he was only 19.
"He was on loan from Villarreal at Recreativo at the time. We did a great deal that we could loan him for a year and then we could buy him for €7 million. So, he’s not taking the credit for that one!
"Did he discover Jimmy Bullard? No, that was me as well! Let me think who he did discover. He discovered Robbie Savage when we were at Derby!”
Jewell says Hamilton’s role involves him assessing Town’s upcoming opponents: "He does match reports and he’ll work very closely with Steve McCall.”