DUAL code rugby international Barrie Jon Mather is the man charged with the task of turning around the fortunes of Blackpool RUFC.

He takes over as head coach at the club after the departure of Paul Dooley, and hopes to improve the fortunes of a side without a win since the first day of the season.

The local lad found fame with Wigan and Castleford in league, as well as featuring in the England team which made the 1995 World Cup final and winning four Great Britain caps.

His sole cap for England in union came against Wales in 1999 and he featured for Sale, Japanese side, Kubota and, briefly, Coventry.

After his appointment Mather said: "My main aim is to rebuild and take Blackpool forward but I can only do that if the players co-operate by attending training."

Assistant coach, Ed Parlour, who stays on after the departure of Dooley, said: "Obviously I'm sad to see Paul step down.

"But I believe that this is a positive move for the club as BJ has all the abilities needed to turn this club around especially with his experience as a player."