A FORMER Lancashire police chief, who was match commander at Blackburn Rovers for many years, has been appointed security and safety adviser to the Football League.

Eddie Walsh, who retired from the force as a chief superintendent last August, will now be responsible for assisting the 72 clubs in the Nationwide Football League as well as liaising with the Home Office and police forces throughout the country.

He will visit clubs on match days to assess their security provisions as well as assisting at major events such as the Worthington Cup Final, LDV Vans Trophy Final and play-offs at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

Eddie, who spent 35 years in the police, said he was delighted to be joining the Football League.

"A great deal of my police career revolved around football and security at stadiums and I hope my experience will help to further strengthen the ties that already exist between the League and the individual clubs," he said.

"I am looking forward to being part of the team that has helped to create the safer, family-friendly environment that exists in football grounds across the country today."