lets hope they can keep us up,then look at building something to look forward too. Head coach seals deal for his number two. City have confirmed the appointment of Richard O’Kelly as first team coach on a rolling contract basis.The 56-year-old joins from Walsall, where he held the same position working under Dean Smith for the League One side.O’Kelly has worked as number two to City head coach Sean O’Driscoll at previous clubs Bournemouth and Doncaster Rovers – and with both sides they achieved promotions.*Head coach O’Driscoll told*bcfc.co.uk: “Richard is an excellent coach whose opinion I respect and has the sort of character that every football club needs.*“He will bring enthusiasm and positivity to everything he does and I'm delighted he has joined me as I know it was a tough decision to leave Walsall, where he was achieving great success on a limited budget.”City’s football managing director Jon Lansdown said: “We’re delighted to welcome Richard to the club as he links up with Sean again.*“They’ve worked together well in the past, building up clubs and achieving success at the same time.”O’Kelly also has experience as manager and assistant manager at Hereford United, taking charge of the Bulls at the end of last season before departing in the summer to link up with Walsall.As a player, West Bromwich-born O’Kelly spent much of his career at Walsall as their main striker. He scored 56 goals in 204 league outings and won promotion from the bottom tier in 1979/80.*Compensation has been agreed with Walsall, meaning O’Kelly comes in immediately to help prepare for City’s home game with Ipswich Town this Saturday.sounds promising City's new head coach on working with Sean O'Driscoll once again. Richard O’Kelly admitted the opportunity to become City’s first team coach and work with Sean O’Driscoll once more was “too good to turn down”.The 56-year-old left his assistant manager post at Walsall today, after the two clubs agreed a suitable compensation package.O’Kelly worked with O’Driscoll previously at Bournemouth and Doncaster, but it was at the Keepmoat Stadium where they enjoyed their most recent success, winning the League One play-offs in 2008.*Speaking in an exclusive interview on*Bristol City Player, O’Kelly explained his background with O’Driscoll.He said: “We have known each other for 30 years. When we talk about the game we don’t always see eye-to-eye but we certainly have the same beliefs of how things should be done.*“Working together and recruiting the right kind of people both on and off the field is key.*“We must install good behaviour, attitudes and habits into the team. They must understand the basics; if we get all of that right we can do what we like from then on.**“The work is done on the training pitch but we also have video analysis and sport scientists, so we have to bring all departments together and make sure everyone is singing from the same hymn sheet.”After visiting BS3 a number of times as part of opposition camps, O’Kelly says he is full of respect for the City faithful.*“It’s a fantastic football club and historically they’ve always been the biggest club in the area. Every time I’ve come to Ashton Gate as a player or coach the fans seem to enjoy their football,” added the first team coach.“I have been here before when the fans have even applauded the team I’ve been with – which shows they understand the game.”O’Kelly’s first impressions of the squad have been good, but he understands the priority is to remain in the npower Championship.He added: “The main challenge is obviously survival but we are concentrating on the next game (versus Ipswich), ensuring we all know where we are coming from.*“Since I have been here the players have showed a great attitude. There is a willingness to work as well as a togetherness. They don’t just walk off the training pitch, they go to the gym or work with a coach to do extra training.*“This place can only go one way with the sort of behaviour the players are showing.”
