FORMER Preston North End star Lee Ashcroft has been appointed manager of West Lancashire League side Longridge Town.

The 41-year-old takes charge of the Premier Division outfit and will be joined by assistant Ian Kilford.

The Preston-born attacker played 155 times for his home town club in three spells – one on loan – before moving on to West Brom, playing 90 times and scoring 17 times in his three years at the Hawthorns.

The former England U21s player also had spells at Grimsby Town and Wigan Athletic before playing for Kendal Town where he was also manager.

Last season, he also turned out for Fulwood Amateurs in the West Lancs League.