Blackburn Rovers Football Club has announced the appointment of Paul Agnew as General Manager.

Agnew, 54, who has worked within professional football for more than two decades will take up his new role, which will include a seat on the Board of Directors, early next month.

A former Chief Executive at Preston North End FC, he has most recently worked in a Press and PR capacity for the club.

“We believe Paul is the ideal man to take on this challenging role with responsibilities across all areas,” said Mr. Venkatesh Rao, of Rovers’ Owners Venky’s.

“His love of Rovers is very clear and we have been most impressed with what we have seen and heard of him during our time at the club. He can count on our full backing and support and we are sure he will go on to prove a very successful appointment.”

Mr Agnew said: “It is a great honour to be handed this opportunity and I will do all I can to help the club to grow and prosper.

"Suffering relegation last season obviously hurt everyone involved, but we must not get bogged down with what has been and gone. This is a time to re-group, look forward and concentrate our efforts only on aspects that we can affect and control.

“The Owners are putting their faith in me and I thank them sincerely for that. It is now up to me to repay that confidence and to help build a new and bright future for this great football club.

"I am passionate about Blackburn Rovers, my family is steeped in it, and if we can get everyone pulling together for the common good then I believe we can proceed with confidence.”