In a surprise move Town have announced the return of Bryan Hamilton, as a first team coach alongside Tony Mowbray. Hamilton's return may prove controversial after his recent spell as manager at Norwich. The former Northern Ireland, Tranmere, Wigan and Leicester manager was present at Town's game last night and will start in his new position immediately, traveling with the Town party to Middlesbrough tomorrow.
Hamilton played for Town between 1971 and 1975, making 186 appearances (+13 as sub) and scoring 56 goals after joining from Linfield. Everton was his next port of call and he went on to play for Millwall and faced his former team-mates in the 6-1 win at the Den on the road to Wembley '78.
His managerial career started at Tranmere and moved on to Wigan. Then to Leicester where he brought a young Mark Venus from Hartlepool to play alongside former Town man Russell Osman. Hamilton went on to manage Wigan once more and then Northern Ireland.
After leaving the Northern Ireland job he spent some time concentrating on his media work, before joining Town as first team coach in December 1997. His spell was rated by highly by some members of the squad, although there were suggestions that not everyone was happy with his presence. Jason Cundy told Phil in the summer for his book: "I really rated him: I enjoyed the sessions that he put on, you could see his experience. I know he wasn't a big favourite amongst the players but I enjoyed him being around and I think we did really well defensively that season. He brought his little ideas, but he did step on a few toes amongst the senior players and the staff. He had some good ideas, that was why he was brought in to bring something little different.”
Kieron Dyer cited Hamilton's work on the side's shape and says he was the man responsible for a major tactical change during his spell here: "When Bryan Hamilton took over I was still playing right back and he really fancied me as a midfielder. I think he was really pushing my case to be centre midfield with Matt Holland. George Williams was playing at the time and obviously he was doing a good job. We were just doing shape in training and Bryan Hamilton told me I was going to get my chance in central midfield tonight obviously and I was a bit worried because George Williams was captain and a senior player and I didn't know how he'd take it. But he was fantastic and we went on to win the game 3-2. I went on to play every game with Matt Holland, almost every game in central midfield, and thoroughly enjoyed it.”
That summer Hamilton decided he wanted to take charge of a club himself and he moved to Norwich where he was director of football with Bruce Rioch as his manager. Things didn't go well and Rioch left in March 2000 and Hamilton took over as manager. Again things didn't go well and he left in December of the same year. Since then he has again concentrated on his media work.