Pune, Feb 17 (IANS): I-League debutants Bharat FC Tuesday reaffirmed their commitment to building a comprehensive footballing structure by inducting well known English coach Barry Knowles as the head of the club's youth academy programme.

The 55-year-old arrived here last week and has already begun work on developing a youth structure for the development and nurturing of young footballing talent here.

Born in Wigan, Knowles is a former professional footballer who has more than 300 appearances for five distinguished English clubs. Having signed for Southport FC at the beginning of the 1978-1979 season, Knowles moved to Runcorn FC, Barrow AFC and then to Wigan Athletic where he enjoyed great success.

An attacking full-back, Knowles retired at 33 and dived straight into coaching, taking up a youth academy role with Wigan Athletic.

The 55-year-old is credited with spotting current England international Leighton Baines and was instrumental in getting the full-back to Wigan’s youth system after Liverpool FC released him.

Knowles then moved on to coaching roles with former Premier League side Blackpool FC where he served as the head of youth development and was also an important constituent at the youth set-up of Chester City FC.

His last assignment was as the head coach at Burnley College Football Academy. Amongst the first coaches in England to complete the UEFA A License, Knowles has also worked with clubs like Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

“We are very happy to welcome Barry to Bharat FC. He comes with an impeccable reputation and we hope that he emulates the high standards that he has set in England," said Bharat FC managing director Amit Kalyani.

"The Bharat FC youth academy is a project very close to the hearts of everyone here at the club and we believe that with Barry’s appointment we have made a very good start in putting together a top class youth programme.”

Knowles said he was very excited by the prospect of working in a youth academy in India when Bharat FC head coach Stuart Watkiss first indicated that there might be an opening at the club.

“Stuart has a great reputation in England and when he told me about the chance to come to India, I was really excited. Indian football is growing rapidly and from what I have seen, the youngsters here are really willing to learn, absorb new things and improve. My goal is to give Bharat FC the best youth system in this country,” he said.