FORMER Swindon Town favourite Lee Peacock has returned to the County Ground after being appointed head of coaching at the club’s Academy.

Peacock made 138 appearances for Town between 2006 and 2010 arrives with a proven pedigree having enjoyed plenty of success in his previous role as head of youth development at National League side Eastleigh.

In what is a new position at the club, Peacock will work under academy director Seamus Brady and alongside academy manager Jeremy Newton and he will oversee all aspects of coaching within the structure of the Academy.

Peacock is thrilled to be back at the County Ground and told the club’s official website: "It sounds cheesy but it is a dream come true.

"Since I've been in coaching I've been in no hurry to take steps that I wasn't ready for, but this opportunity came up and knowing Nutty (Jeremy Newton), knowing the other coaches and knowing the direction they want to go in, it is a step I can take and it is a step I can really learn a different aspect of the game from.

"I'm really excited.

"Fundamentally, my role comes down to making sure that the coaches are making progress themselves and with the teams.

"Nutty will set a structure in terms of how he wants everything done across the board and I'll go in and help implement that.

"But if we can get one per cent more from each coach, then how does that transfer to the players? So we need to set short-term and long-term goals for the coaches and help them work on and off the pitch to achieve those goals."

Town chief executive Steve Anderson added: "We are delighted to announce the appointment of Lee Peacock as the Academy's head of coaching.

"Lee will come in and work underneath Seamus Brady and alongside Jeremy Newton, in what is a new position at the football club.

"Having enjoyed a successful spell here as a player, Lee is no stranger to the club and given his track record at Eastleigh, I was delighted that Lee put forward his name for the role.

"Being a former player, Lee will be a great ambassador for the football club and coaches, players and parents will have someone in Lee who is extremely passionate about Swindon Town.

"On Lee's first day, I was amazed by his enthusiasm and excitement at being back at the football club and I am sure that will rub off on everyone around him."