Paul McKenna appointed Bamber Bridge manager in first senior role

Preston North End legend Paul McKenna has been appointed manager of Bamber Bridge, taking his first senior managerial role.

Preston North End great Paul McKenna has become the new manager of Bamber Bridge. The former midfielder, who played hundreds of times for Preston across more than a decade, now leads the Northern Premier League team. His appointment comes as his former club, Preston North End, sits 24th in the Championship with just 5 points from 12 games, having recorded one win, two draws and nine defeats.

This change comes after Jamie Milligan left his role as Bamber Bridge boss. During his tenure, Milligan guided the team to a high league position last season, ending in third place and making the playoff final. He had also been involved with the squad that earned promotion several seasons ago.

He takes over a squad near the foot of the league table, having earned a low points total from their matches so far this campaign. The team's last victory was in early September, and they are currently on a lengthy winless streak. Assistants Neil Crowe, Mick Taylor and Stuart Barton will continue in their coaching roles.

McKenna's coaching path

McKenna, who holds a UEFA A Licence, started coaching after ending his playing days. His previous coaching experience includes a spell at Longridge Town with Lee Ashcroft, and he also had a short period as a player for Bamber Bridge. Being from the local area and a revered figure at Preston, his appointment is notable in non-league circles.

His debut match leading the team will be an away game this Saturday against Gainsborough Trinity, an important contest as they try to climb the table. This move happens while his old club, Preston North End, faces difficulties in their division. Preston recently tied a match with a late equalizer, drawing 1-1 with West Brom on Saturday 24 October thanks to an Andrew Hughes goal, and have a challenging game ahead as they seek better results. Their recent form shows no wins, two draws and three defeats from the last five matches, a run including a 4-1 loss to Wrexham and a 4-0 defeat to Birmingham. They are 20 points behind the league leaders, Middlesbrough, and have scored 10 goals while conceding 25 this season. Their next fixture is away to Stoke City, who are 9th in the table, on Saturday 31 October.

McKenna's shift to management begins a fresh phase for the celebrated former player, and he hopes to improve Bamber Bridge's results immediately.