Stevie Grieve: Head of Performance and Recruitment at Forest Green Rovers
- Builds upon experience gained with the likes of Dundee United and St Johnstone
- Takes the next step in a career that has spanned Scotland, India, and Canada
Stevie Grieve has built a football career based on embracing innovation and facing challenges. That’s why his new role as Forest Green Rovers’ Head of Performance and Recruitment looks the perfect fit.
The 35-year old Football Careers client is settling in at the English League One club after leaving his post with Scottish Premiership side St Johnstone in the summer to seek a new chapter. Scotsman Stevie, who also had a two-year stint as Head of Analysis and Opposition Scouting at Dundee United, is now deep into the process of preparation for a vital January transfer window for Forest Green who currently lie at the foot of their division.
Rovers, owned by green energy tycoon Dale Vince, is a club that looks at its journey differently. As well as researching new signings, Grieve will have a significant influence on the set-up and design of the new Eco Park training ground. Stevie’s remit will also see him oversee analysis and sports science at The Bolt New Lawn and he said:
“I am very excited by the opportunity to join FGR. I look forward to building an elite performance environment at the club – which will help us win as many games as possible both now and in the future.”
Chairman Vince has monitored a detailed process to find the right person for what is a key strategic role. And the FGR supremo stressed:
“We’ve taken our time in finding the right person, so that we could turn the adversity of losing a team member in his predecessor Richard Hughes into an advantage. Stevie will give us that, he’ll bring a significant improvement to our recruitment, use of data and performance focus.
“We’re excited to welcome Stevie to the team and look forward to working with him on this next phase of our journey.”
A club with a difference
Forest Green have won praise for their ground-breaking stance on operating as a sustainable football club. From recycling rainwater — and even water from the away fans’ toilets — to nourish their organic match-day pitch to becoming known as the world’s first vegan club: they are an outfit with a difference.
And you sense that this might now be a case of right place, right time for Stevie who confessed:
“I felt a connection to the people in the club and the way they want to operate. It is somewhere I feel I can be a success and help with both the short-term goal of trying to stay in League One but also the longer term objectives of putting the processes in place to maximise the performance of everyone within the football departments.”