TODAY (Tuesday) Watford FC are pleased to announce the appointment of Joe McBride to the football staff at the Club.

McBride joins the Hornets' backroom staff as Youth Team Coach.

The former winger has played at Everton, Rotherham and Oldham, as well as several Scottish clubs including Hibernian and Dundee.

McBride's coaching career took off when he moved into a role as Youth Team coach at Celtic FC, which he held for over ten years. Then, in 2008, he became First Team Coach at Újpest FC in Budapest, Hungary.

www.watfordfc.com spoke with the Hornets' new Youth Team Coach today (Tuesday) about his appointment.

"There's a good set up and good people around the place" said McBride.

"I spent two weeks down here at the end of last season" he explained. "I thoroughly enjoyed myself and felt totally comfortable as soon as I walked through the doors.

"The first thing I noticed when I came was the fabulous facilities that Watford FC have got at the training ground.

"I was also fortunate enough to be involved with a couple of the Academy games at the end of the season; the narrow loss to Fulham and the 3-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur.

"Both those games showed me that there is a lot of talent in the Academy here at Watford.

"I think it's really important for Clubs to be able to produce players that can come up through the youth team into the first XI.

"Watford's a club where the youngsters know that if they do well then they will get a chance in the first team and the manager is prepared to give them that chance."

The Scotsman has talked extensively with Watford manager and fellow countryman Malky Mackay and says he can't wait to get started in his new role.

"Although I was just finishing my playing career as Malky was just starting his we did play against each other a couple of times" said the former winger.

"But I had a good chat with him when I was here and I've spoken at length with him over the phone since and I'm delighted to be joining the Club.

"I'm very much looking forward to the start of the season and I can't wait to get started."