KEITH Curle has finalised his backroom team on the eve of Latics’ first home friendly with fans.

Colin West, Alan Sheehan and Steve Collis have all joined the club to complete head coach Curle’s support staff after recently signing their respective contracts.

West has been Curle’s right hand man at Notts County, Carlisle United and Northampton Town and will take up the role as assistant head coach at Boundary Park.

The pair proved to be a formidable partnership especially during their time at the Cobblers as they sealed promotion to League One. 

Sheehan arrives as first team player-coach, returning to Latics after spending time on loan at Boundary Park in 2009. 

The experienced defender will occupy a coaching role in the next step of his career alongside West and Curle in order to enhance the development of the younger players.  

Overall, the Irishman has made 452 appearances in the EFL which includes spells with Leeds, Notts County and Luton, as well as representing his country at U21 level on five occasions.

Collis has been appointed goalkeeping coach - a position that he held at Carlisle United until recently.

The 40-year-old began his coaching career with Rochdale in January 2013 and spent five-years with the club during Keith Hill’s second stint in charge at Spotland.

On confirming his backroom team, Latics head coach Curle said: “I’m pleased to finally get this confirmed. It’s a key part of being successful having a backroom staff that can support you and the players.

“I know Colin after working with each other on a number of occasions and have also worked with Alan, both who have extremely high standards, and I know they’ll make the most of the opportunity here.

“Along with Steve who has impressed us since arriving for pre-season and has excellent references regarding improving goalkeepers and his role as a coach in that department. This means they all bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the first team ahead of what will be a challenging but hopefully memorable season.

“We’ll continue to work hard behind the scenes to identify future targets but also improve and nurture the players we have at our disposal already.

“This is another positive step in the right direction and shows the club is supporting our vision.”

West and Collis have signed two-year deals, with Alan Sheehan on a one-year contract as a first team player/coach, with a focus on being part of Curle’s coaching staff.

Physio Harry McNeilly has recently left to take up a similar role at Blackpool.

Harry Reddick remains part of the backroom team to continue his lead role on all medical matters along with other staff appointed last summer to support the first team in Ross Mizen, sports science, and Jamie Powell, analysis.