TOWN have a new face in a new role after appointing Ross Wilson as head of football operations.

The 30-year-old Scot’s remit includes player recruitment and performance analysis as the club aim to further integrate their senior and academy set-ups.

He will also help take the load off Simon Grayson, allowing the manager to focus on coaching and match preparation ahead of a first Championship campaign in 11 years.

Wilson has spent the last 15 months at Watford after making his name during seven years at hometown Falkirk.

He joined the Scottish club after gaining a social science degree and worked as their player liaison, education and welfare officer, then head of football development.

By the end of a stint which featured five years in the Premier League and a UEFA Cup appearance, Wilson was in charge of football administration.

He dealt with scouting and player contracts as well as playing a key role in the development of one of Scottish football’s most successful club academies.

Current Town players Scott Arfield and Murray Wallace were both Falkirk youth products.

And both Grayson and chief executive Nigel Clibbens believe Wilson will take the club forward.

“The club has seen the long-term vision of what we’re trying to achieve in terms of further forging links between the first team and the academy,” said Grayson.

“The best part of the work I do happens on the grass. As a manager you have to accept that there are a lot of phone calls to agents and Ross will take that burden from me.

“As a manager you need to trust the person in that position and we feel Ross is the right man for a demanding role.”

Clibbens said: “This role had been planned long before Simon’s appointment, but has only been made possible by our promotion.

“It is a continuation in the integration of our approach to the first team and academy set-ups, which has been ongoing for some time with the development of the Canalside complex and the Elite Player Performance Plan.

“Ross will ensure we have a totally joined-up approach across all elements of football operations.

“As well as Simon Grayson, he will work closely with (development coach) Steve Eyre, (academy chief) Mark Lillis and their technical staff.

“As you would expect we had a lot of interest in this role, but Ross has a fantastic reputation and his availability due to Watford’s recent restructuring made this a fantastic opportunity for us.”