A GLOBE trotting professional with Champions League experience has been handed responsibility of getting one of Tynedale's fastest emerging senior football teams into the top division of the Northern Alliance.

Prudhoe YC Seniors were well poised for promotion to the Premier Division of the Alliance ahead of the season ending due to coronavirus, but their pursuit of the step up ended in disappointment as the campaign was declared null and void.

However, they are planning another assault on the Division One title when football resumes and they have tasked former Newcastle United youth prospect and Republic of Ireland U21 representative Joe Kendrick with achieving promotion as they announced his appointment as manager this week.

As a player, Kendrick played for TSV 1860 Munich, in Germany, experienced Champions League football with Irish champions Drogheda United and played for Neftchi Baku in Azerbaijan, while also turning out for North-East clubs Blyth Spartans and Darlington, as well as Workington AFC.

Kendrick takes over from former Prudhoe player Lee Blackburn and his assistant Tony Wigham, who announced mid-season they would be handing over the running of the team.

Prudhoe secretary Duncan Graham said: “Joe came and had a look around at the facilities after hearing about the club and its potential. He thought it will be a good challenge and something that was right for him to launch his managerial pathway having retired as a player. We were really keen to get him on board so it was a mutual decision between both parties.

Everybody is just waiting to get back playing now.”

Graham went on to thank Blackburn and Wigham for their role in moving the team forward, particularly as they looked certain to achieve promotion to the Alliance Premier Division this term.

He said: "“Lee had played for Prudhoe since he was seven and embedded himself into the club. We always knew he would leave because of his talent alongside his assistant Tony Wigham. It was clear that they would progress with the Newcastle Foundation and its teams. Eventually the commitments became too much and they said they would not be able to continue."