Latest news with #MikeWilliamson
BBC News
22-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
University of the Highlands and Islands student numbers drop
The University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) saw its student numbers fall by more than 6,000 students in one academic year, according to Freedom of Information (FOI) figures. UHI is a network of colleges and teaching centres across the Highlands, Islands, Moray and numbers - across all courses - fell from 42,255 in 2022-23 to 36,142 the following academic year. A spokesperson for UHI said the figures reflected broader sector challenges, including demographic shifts, increased competition for students and the impact of the Covid pandemic. The BBC FOI figures show it is not the first time numbers have dropped sharply with a similar fall between 2018/19 and 2019/ remained higher than they were at the peak of the Covid pandemic in 2020/21 when they fell below 33, findings come amid challenges across the university sector in Scotland, with some hitting a crunch point, forcing job losses and facing questions about their has faced funding issues, merging colleges in north Highland, west Highland and the Western Isles in 2023. A spokesperson said the university was seeing "encouraging signs of recovery" after a post-pandemic decline in several high-volume, full-time undergraduate programmes. Growth in graduate apprentices and international education were said to be supporting a return to previous levels. Mike Williamson, from the University and College Union Scotland, said it was vital UHI was made more secure and stable."UHI is currently discussing how it adapts to changing circumstances," he said."UHI has cut staff on several occasions over the past three years."We're in redundancy avoidance talks with the university right now. It's as a direct result of student numbers going down."A spokesperson for the university said it had been investing resources into student recruitment.
BBC News
03-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Martin adds Williamson & Bibbo to backroom team
Former Newcastle United defender Mike Williamson has joined Rangers as a first-team coach in Russell Martin's backroom team, alongside goalkeeping coach Salvatore his successful playing career, which also included a stint at Wycombe Wanderers with manager Martin, Williamson was manager at Gateshead, MK Dons and most recently, Carlisle who was also enjoyed a career between the sticks, has coached at Arsenal, Brighton and Sheffield Wednesday."I played with Mike at Wycombe Wanderers so we go back a long way, and I know the qualities he can bring to this group," Martin told club media. "As a player he played at the very top level and is an experienced coach having been a manager himself."I am also really happy to bring Sal into the team. He has a lot of experience and a strong track record of developing goalkeepers. "After speaking to him it was clear that his knowledge and character will be a real asset to the players and the staff, and I am looking forward to working with them both."
The National
03-07-2025
- Sport
- The National
Two new Rangers coaches as Russell Martin staff confirmed
Salvatore Bibbo and Mike Williamson have agreed to join the Ibrox club under the new head coach. Bibbo, who previously worked for Arsenal and Brighton, joins as goalkeeping coach from English club Sheffield Wednesday. Williamson, well known for his playing days at Newcastle, takes on the role of first-team coach, having most recently been manager at Carlisle United. We can today confirm the following appointments to the men's first-team coaching staff. Mike Williamson has joined the club as first-team coach, while goalkeeping coach Salvatore Bibbo will also join Russell Martin's staff. Learn More ⤵️ — Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) July 3, 2025 Martin said of the coaching appointments: 'I am delighted to have Mike and Sal join my team ahead of the new season. 'I played with Mike at Wycombe Wanderers so we go back a long way, and I know the qualities he can bring to this group. As a player he played at the very top level and is an experienced coach having been a manager himself. 'I am also really happy to bring Sal into the team, he has a lot of experience and a strong track record of developing goalkeepers. After speaking to him it was clear that his knowledge and character will be a real asset to the players and the staff, and I am looking forward to working with them both.' Sporting director Kevin Thelwell added: 'I would like to welcome both Mike and Sal to Rangers. They are both experienced coaches who will bring a lot of knowledge to the club. 'Their addition strengthens Russell Martin's coaching team and reflects our continued commitment to building the best environment capable of delivering success on and off the pitch.' Read more: A Rangers statement confirmed: "Rangers can today confirm the following appointments to the men's first-team coaching staff. "Mike Williamson has joined the club as first-team coach, while goalkeeping coach Salvatore Bibbo will also join Russell Martin's staff. "Williamson's career saw him make over 400 senior appearances, including 150 with Premier League side Newcastle United. Stepping into management with Gateshead, Williamson has also been head coach at MK Dons and most recently Carlisle United. "Goalkeeping coach Bibbo featured for Reading and Bath City among others in his playing career before moving into coaching. Bringing a wealth of experience from roles with Arsenal and Brighton, he joins Rangers from Sheffield Wednesday."
BBC News
23-02-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Hughes 'sure' goals will come for troubled Carlisle
Carlisle United head coach Mark Hughes is convinced that the goals will come for League Two's bottom is still waiting for his first win since replacing Mike Williamson at Brunton Park after a goalless draw at home to Welshman has collected two points from his four games as boss, with the Cumbrian side now having gone three games without remain bottom and are five points adrift of safety with 14 games remaining."The chances, we'll continue to create them and at some point, we'll start converting, I'm sure," he told BBC Radio Cumbria. Carlisle are the division's joint lowest scorers with 23 from their 32 matches and have managed 44 shots in their last three games, including 16 on target, without finding that elusive believes there has been an upturn in performances but results have not yet matched that. However, victory in their next game - the Cumbrian derby away to Barrow on Thursday - could offer a vital platform."It may well be the game that triggers everything that we need," he said. "We'll go into the game with the right attitude and the right approach and let's see where it takes us."But to get back to winning ways in a local derby would be a good start."
BBC News
30-01-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Williamson wants home lift in Carlisle drop battle
Carlisle United head coach Mike Williamson is aiming for a home lift in his side's battle to avoid relegation from League Cumbrians have won just two of their 13 home games, collecting only nine points from a possible heading into Saturday's match with resurgent Swindon Town at Brunton Park, Williamson believes that one good result could be the catalyst."If we get one, that is just going to open the door," he told BBC Radio Cumbria. Carlisle climbed off the foot of League Two with victory at Fleetwood Town last Saturday, but slipped to a 1-0 defeat at Notts County on remain five points adrift of safety before the visit of Ian Holloway's side, who have won their past three matches to move 13 points clear of the relegation zone."We want to become a place where teams dread coming," said Williamson."We've got the energy, we've got the fans, we've got the size of the pitch, the quality of the pitch and we will turn it into that."
