TONY Mowbray welcomed the appointment of Steve Waggott as Rovers’ new Chief Executive but said he played no part in the move for his former Coventry City colleague.

Waggott left the Ricoh Arena after four years in September 2015, with Mowbray having joined the Sky Blues in March of that year.

Rovers had been without a Chief Executive since 2012 following the departure of Paul Hunt, with Waggott now responsible for the day to day running of the club.

Mowbray hopes that Waggott can help improve communications between the club’s supporters and hierarchy and is looking forward to working alongside his former colleague once again.

“I worked with Steve at Coventry City for about a year,” Mowbray said of Waggott’s appointment.

“First and foremost I would have to say that it was a difficult job for the football manager never mind the CEO.

“There were a lot of issues but personally I got on very well with Steve, he’s a personable guy and hopefully his interaction with the supporters is going to be strong and positive.

“Hopefully he helps off the grass and gets the club in a positive mode.

“Any team that is going to be successful needs to be successful on and off the grass and that’s hopefully what Steve will bring, develop relationships with stakeholders and build a communication line with the supporters that they will look to tap in to.”

Waggott made the move to Ewood Park from Southend United and admitted the role was one that he couldn’t refuse.

Despite Waggott having worked alongside Mowbray and assistant Mark Venus at Coventry the Rovers boss said he wasn’t part of the process that hired him.

He added: “No, I had no input at all, it was news to me like everyone else.

“Obviously there was a process that went on and I wasn’t a part of that process.

“I know Steve well, I am looking forward to seeing him.

“We have to sit back and see how it works and the way I work I’m respectful with everyone and give them my total respect and support.

“Hopefully it works that he will support me with the football team and we will hopefully continue in the vein of form that we’re in.”