ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (September 7, 2018) — The Tampa Bay Rowdies will welcome Martin Paterson back to St. Petersburg in a new role as an assistant coach, Rowdies Head Coach Neill Collins announced Friday.

Paterson played for the Rowdies in 2017 and became a fan favorite for the intensity and passion with which he plays. That passion will now be taught to the Rowdies from Paterson’s new platform on the coaching staff.

“Martin is a big addition to our team which also includes assistant coaches Joe Cole, Stuart Dobson and Cheyne Roberts,” Collins said. “Just like we’ve been signing players to make us better, we’re now bringing in Martin to make us better. This could be one of our biggest signings. He’s got passion for the club and he’s going to be a top, top coach. Me and him share the same beliefs and I know our players will enjoy working with him. If a bit of his intensity and will to win rubs off on the players, that would be great.”

Paterson scored nine goals in his lone season playing for the Rowdies. The majority of his playing career was spent in the United Kingdom, where he represented clubs including Stoke City, Burnley and Huddersfield Town, among others. He made 23 appearance the Northern Ireland national team.

“Bringing Martin into the coaching staff is a great addition for this final stretch of the season,” said Rowdies Chairman & CEO Bill Edwards. “His intensity and love of the game was one of the reasons he was successful on the pitch here as a player, and I am sure that will replicate on the sideline as a coach. We have a great coaching staff led by Neill and I am very excited for this final stretch of the season.”

Paterson is currently en route to Charleston to meet up with the Rowdies and take his place on the bench Saturday night against the Battery.