NEW assistant manager Neill Hornby fits the bill to help Micky Moore take Barrow AFC forward.

The Bluebirds boss was pleased to have the former Burton Albion assistant by his side at training yesterday, after announcing a deal to bring him in as his right-hand man.

Hornby will be on the sidelines at Shaw Lane for the FA Cup fourth qualifying round tie tomorrow afternoon (3pm kick-off).

He has known Moore for several years, the pair having been at opposing clubs Burton and Mansfield in the Football League, and both hailing from the Midlands.

Moore, who had been without an assistant since Marcus Bignot – a temporary appointment while Moore's position was only on an interim basis – left to become Chester boss last month, believes the former New York Red Bulls, West Bromwich Albion and Walsall man brings a lot to the table at Holker Street.

He said of 51-year-old Hornby, who left a job as first-team scout for Ipswich Town to take up the role at AFC: “He's a good bloke, a good person. He's loyal, he's honest, and I think he'll be good for me to lean on, having had promotions and knowing what it takes.

“He's watched a lot of football in the Conference, below, and in the Football League, so he'll bring a lot to us.

“I've always said when I'm signing players, or bringing in an assistant, I want to bring the right people in – and Neill certainly fits that bill. He's a good person and he's got a fantastic work ethic.

“I've known him a number of years. When I was at Mansfield, he was at Burton, and you go to a lot of games, so I would see him there. We always used to talk and be on the phone – 'Have you seen this player? What do you think of him? What do you think of him?'

“The friendship has developed over years. I said to him in the past that if the opportunity arose that I could get him involved in some capacity, whether that be scouting or whatever, then I would do, because he's a good person. This opportunity arose that I could get him in as an assistant, and it was too good of an opportunity.”

Hornby has taken the chance to get to know the Barrow players this week, and Moore does not think it will take him long to fit into the set-up.

His experience in working under the likes of Gary Rowett, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Nigel Clough at Burton Albion – where he was part of the coaching team when they won the League Two title and promotion from League One – will also be invaluable.

Moore added: “He's been around first teams and he knows what is required. He will get up to speed very quickly with the players in terms of knowing what they're about as people. It will take him a little bit of time to get to know them as individuals.

“On match-days, he will be another set of eyes and ears. He will be able to help me with decisions on substitutions, technically, tactically. I can bounce things off him, he can take some of the load off what I have had to do.

“I see it as a massive positive.”

AFC owner Paul Casson also welcome Hornby on board, and said of the appointment in a club statement: “I am delighted to have Neill with us as our new assistant manager.

“We met on Tuesday at the training ground and it quickly became obvious that he was the man for the job.

“His skill set and qualities align perfectly with Micky’s and I have no doubts that they will work together to make a fantastic coaching team.”