Former Newcastle United star Kenny Wharton and Dunston UTS legend Steve Preen have been confirmed as the new managerial team at Northern Alliance club Newcastle Blue Star.
The duo replace former manager Mark Bullock and assistant Daniel Bell, who departed after securing a third place finish last season.
Bullock and Bell had been pivotal figures in the Blue Star’s rebrand from Hazelrigg Victory two years ago, but left their roles at the club last week.
Wharton, 58, has been working within the youth section at the Scotswood-based club for over 12 months now.
He became a Magpies stalwart as he made 290 appearances during an 11 year stay at St James Park between 1978 and 1989.
He ended his playing career with spells at Carlisle United, Bradford City and Berwick Rangers, before moving into coaching at Scottish club St Johnstone.
Wharton returned to the North East to take up at role within Middlesbrough’s academy, before taking up an offer of a similar position at Newcastle in 1999.
He took over as Magpies academy director in 2002, but left the club after a spell on the reserve team coaching staff in 2010.
He will now move into management with Blue Star and will work alongside former FA Vase winner Steve Preen.
The former Gateshead and Bedlington Terriers striker became a popular figure at Dunston UTS and helped the club to the FA Vase Final in 2002.
Preen appeared as a late substitute in their 2-0 win over Northern League rivals West Auckland Town at Wembley.
Wharton and Preen will take charge of Blue Star for the first time when they travel to newly-promoted Northern League club Sunderland West End for a pre-season friendly on Saturday.
