A NORTH-EAST football club has taken on three staff to help promote its links with the community.
Joe Puech is Sunderland AFC's new study support centre manager, while Gary Steadman has become area coach for North Tyneside and Northumberland. Ed Cook is the SAFC 24/7 coordinator.
Mr Puech, 41, from South Shields, South Tyneside, returns to the club's education centre after spending a term there on secondment last year.
He said: "Being a primary school teacher and a Sunderland fan, I had no hesitation in accepting the job of a lifetime doing the work I love for the club I have supported for as long as I can remember.
"Being in the club atmosphere really encourages the children to learn, and I am very excited about the club's plans for the Centre of Light, which will house three state-of-the-art classrooms."
Mr Cook, 25, a sports science graduate from Fulwell, Sunderland, said: "Sunderland Football Club has given me the opportunity to put the knowledge from my degree into practice."
Sunderland's is the largest football community scheme in the UK, with more than 50 staff.
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