Plymouth Argyle manager John Sheridan has made a crucial addition to his backroom staff ahead of the 2013-14 season in the form of fitness coach John Harbin.
Australian Harbin, 65, first worked with Sheridan at Oldham Athletic, whilst the Argyle boss was coming towards the end of his playing career, where he was employed, by the then Latics' manager Iain Dowie, as a fitness coach and sports pyschologist after coaching English Rugby League sides Wakefield Wildcats and Oldham Roughyeds.
Following his spell at Boundary Park, Harbin then worked with Dowie at Charlton Athletic, QPR and Coventry City and also worked with Paulo Sousa at Swansea City before returning Down Under in 2009.
Until late 2012, he was the coach of Central Queensland Capras, a semi-professional rugby league side.
More recently, Harbin has been working as the Rockhampton Rustlers coaching development officer over the past six months and is well respected in football circles.
The deal also includes a get-out clause, which would allow him to return to Australia at the end of the season.
This development represents a huge coup for the Pilgrims, who look set to benefit hugely from his experience, just days after they agreed to re-sign striker Reuben Reid on a season-long loan from Yeovil Town.
