After retiring from professional football, former Brentford player Sam Saunders has taken the role of B Team Assistant Coach.

The Club can also confirm that Allan Steele, who previously held the role under Kevin O’Connor and then Lars Friis, has been promoted to B Team Technical Lead. He will continue to coach the side but on a part-time basis.

Allan is in his sixth year with the Club, and up until now was splitting his time between the role of Education and Welfare manager and B Team Assistant Coach. His new role will see him focus more on the B Team games schedule, while still engaging with the education and welfare of the Club’s youth players.

Sam made his start in football with Welling United, before spells at Ashford Town, Carshalton Athletic and Dagenham & Redbridge between 2001 and 2009. Almost exactly a decade ago, Andy Scott brought him to Brentford ahead of our 09/10 League One campaign.

He went on to make 206 appearances in all competitions, including helping the squad reach the 2011 Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Final. After losing out in the 2013 Play-Off Finals, he then played a key role in promotion from the third tier a year later.

The last of his 30 Brentford goals came in a 3-0 win over Fulham at Griffin Park in April 2016. He left the Club in 2017 after seven-and-a-half years in West London, moving to Wycombe Wanderers for three seasons. From March last year he had a short spell at Colchester United, retiring from playing the game in the summer.

Co-Director of Football, Phil Giles said of the staff changes: "Sam spent some time with us at the training ground earlier in the year and made a big impression with his knowledge, experience and work ethic.

"Following Neil MacFarlane's appointment earlier in the month one of the first tasks was to meet Sam with a view to becoming Neil's assistant, which after an initial meeting became an easy decision to make. Sam brings an in-depth knowledge of the Club and we feel his pathway in football makes him a great role model for our younger players.

"Allan has been part of the B Team set up since its inception, and has impressed everyone with his drive, determination and attention to detail. He has done a very good job as an assistant in recent years, and he will continue his coaching on a part-time basis while also completing his UEFA Pro-Licence. I have no doubt that he will continue his excellent work at the training ground as an important member of the team."