Bannon back as Hearts coach

RAY HEPBURN

2 Jul 1994

EAMONN Bannon last night signed for Hearts for the third time in 18 years -- just 12 months after he left the Tynecastle club for city rivals Hibernian.

Last close season, after being released as a player, the former Scotland midfielder took over as third-team coach at Easter Road, but yesterday he moved a significant step up the management ladder by joining new Hearts manager Tommy McLean as chief coach.

Bannon first filed through the Tynecastle door in 1976 as a schoolboy signing, and then, after leaving in 1979 for Chelsea, returned again in 1988 in a £200,000 transfer from Dundee United.

"It's great to be back, although I spent a very enjoyable year at Hibs which gave me the chance to cut my teeth in the management side of the game," he said.

"I'm delighted to get this chance to take my career an important stage forward.

"It's an exciting time to be coming back to Hearts.

With a new board, a new management team, and a new stand going up, there's certainly plenty to look forward to."

McLean also confirmed the position of reserve team coach Walter Kidd as part of his new management team, indicating that there will be no place at the Edinburgh club for his former assistant manager at Motherwell, Tom Forsyth.

"Eamonn has made an impact at every club he has been with, and I'm certain he will make an important contribution," he said.

Taken from the Herald