BLACKBURN Rovers have appointed U21s head coach Eric Kinder as the club's new Academy manager.

Lifelong Rovers fan Kinder, who has been in charge of the U21s since returning to the club in June 2013, said: “This is one of the best days of my life and I’m really looking forward to it.”

Kinder, who worked for Rovers' Academy from 1996 to 2006 before moving to Carlisle United, replaces Phil Cannon.