Stoke name Higgins as new academy director

[Stoke City]Stoke City have appointed Jack Higgins as the club's new academy director.The 34-year-old is a former head of education at Burnley and joins the Potters afterspending the past six years as manager of the academy at League Two Fleetwood Town.In his time with the Cod Army, Higgins oversaw the development of their academy to Category Two status in 2023.Stoke sporting director Jonathan Walters said Higgins' experience of"building productive environments, developing players and connecting