July 7 2004

Bob Dowie

Palace's off-the-pitch preparations for life in the Premiership are being spear-headed by the club's new director of football, Iain Dowie's brother Bob, by Joe O'Shea.

Former Chesham and St Albans manager Bob Dowie has been appointed by chairman Simon Jordan after helping the club achieve promotion in an unofficial scouting capacity

last season.

Bob Dowie converted Fitz Hall from a striker to centre-half at Chesham and then recommended him to Iain at Oldham, a move which netted £250,000 for the Latics when Southampton snapped him up. Now Dowie senior's scouting prowess and business acumen will serve Palace on a full time basis.

Iain Dowie said: "Bob is the conduit between the chairman and myself with regard to player negotiations. Along with me he will look at the way forward for the club in terms of football, while John Harbin will do the fitness.

"Bob will also reorganise the scouting, take an overview of the academy, plus he'll do the day to day negotiations with new players' contracts.

"He comes from a very successful job, and he's multi-talented. He's a top class coach, but he has the ability to be a hard business head. It will spread the load a little bit and allow me to delegate."

Assistant manager Kit Symons, fitness coach John Harbin, goalkeeping coach Mick Kelly and Bob Dowie are all expected to be offered similar terms to the manager's new four year deal, as Jordan looks to secure the services of 'team Dowie' for years to come.

But Dowie revealed that his own contract is still unsigned, but said it was a low priority.

He said: "I have agreed that with the chairman and shook hands on it. There's a few

minor details to be tied down but it's not an issue.

"It's a big commitment for me and it's a big commitment for the club, so it has to be right for both parties. I am not going to be distracted worrying about my contract, I am concentrating on getting a team in place."

Palace physios Steve Allen and Paul Hunter have both left the club to work for Division one Cardiff City. The former Wimbledon physios only joined Palace last summer.

Dowie added: "If people don't want to be here in a Premiership club, that tells me a something about them. I want somebody who wants to be the best and we have got to get the right person in. We are not stretched and will take our time."