FORMER Blackburn Rovers striker Kevin Gallacher admits he can’t wait to get started in his new role as AFC Darwen’s director of football.

Gallacher, who won the Premier League with Rovers in 1995, will be involved in the coaching set-up at the North West Counties League First Division outfit.

He will also work to attract players to the club and play a role in its new football centre of excellence project with Blackburn College, which was unveiled last month.

Gallacher said: “I am very happy as I’ve been trying to get back into football, as everybody knows, for a while.

“But I’ve been finding it difficult so when this challenge came up and Wayne Wild and Kenny Langford approached me and said they’d like me to part of their team and try and develop Darwen that little bit further up the amateur ranks, it was exciting.

“It’s a start back in football and I’ll be doing something I love. I’m really looking forward to it.

“The club’s new venture with Blackburn College to create a centre of excellence is also a major plus point moving forward.”

Chairman Wild believes the move will help attract local investment and sponsorship.

He said: “We’re absolutely delighted that Kevin is joining our team and bringing his massive experience and knowledge of the game to the club.

“As an international striker and a successful Premiership player Kevin provided quality and total commitment to everything he did on the pitch.

“And he’ll be bringing that approach to his work with AFC Darwen.

“It’s a high profile signing that shows we are serious about our plans for the future of this community club.

“The appointment is part of our ongoing work to grow and develop AFC Darwen both on and off the pitch and we’re very excited by what lies ahead.”