Two former Luton Town players have been handed new academy coaching roles after Adrian Forbes left to join newly-formed American club Texoma FC in April.
Alex Lawless steps up to take charge of the Under-21s with Joe Deeney replacing him as U18s lead Coach.
Lawless, 39, was part of Town’s Conference winning side ten years ago and has been part of the Hatters’ academy backroom staff for the last two years, initially as assistant to Alan McCormack – who left last week to join Leyton Orient – with the U18s before taking charge himself last summer when the Irishman moved up to the first team.
The 39-year-old has also stepped up to a new role as senior professional development coach and loans manager.
Academy manager Paul Benson told the club’s website: “Alex will be our U21 coach this season following Forbesy’s departure to Texas. Alex worked with the U18s last season and was really impressive. He’s getting better all the time with his coaching, he’s developing.
“Alex has a development mind-set for the players and he can also drive the high standards and behaviours that we like the boys to have.
“He knows what it takes to play for Luton Town and his knowledge and experience will be a good bridge between the players playing U18 football and the first team, so we’re delighted to have him leading our U21 group this year.”
Deeney steps into the U18s role vacated by Lawless, having signed as a schoolboy, spending 24 years at the club.
He was previously a youth development phase lead with the Under-15s and 16s, before leaving in December 2016 to become assistant manager at Oxford City. Jobs at Hemel Hempstead Town and Dunstable Town followed but he left Creasey Park in April.
During that time, he maintained a role as coach in the Luton Town youth partnership at Cedars Upper School, where students train full-time and play in the Southern Counties Floodlit Youth League while taking their A level qualifications.
Benson said: “We are delighted to bring Joe back to the club in the capacity of the Under-18s coach.
“Joe has a long history with the club, having played and coached previously here, and again like Alex, I can trust Joe to deliver the right standards, values and behaviours to the group.
“His reputation as a developer of players is second to none and his influence on the group will be so valuable to have. The boys will take so much from Joe as a coach and a person, and I couldn’t think of anyone better to replace Alex in this role.”
