Port Vale favourite Marc Bridge-Wilkinson has been promoted to become under-18s coach at Liverpool.

The classy, creative midfielder scored a penalty for Vale in the 2001 Football League Trophy final win over Brentford - and a golden goal penalty in a previous round against Stoke City.

It was a highlight in a career which included nearly 400 league appearances, starting off at Derby County and also taking in Stockport, Bradford City, Carlisle United and Darlington.

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He moved into coaching after hanging up his boots in 2012 and spent three years at Huddersfield before landing the Liverpool under-14s coaching job. He then spent two seasons at under-16 level.

But the Academy at Liverpool has been shaken up since highly-regarded former Crewe coach Neil Critchley left the under-23s role to become first team coach at Blackpool.

Barry Lewtas has been moved up to coach the under-23s and now Bridge-Wilkinson has got the under-18s gig.

It is one of the best junior sides in the country, winning the FA Youth Cup title in 2019.

Port Vale's Marc Bridge-Wilkinson (right) scores their first goal from the penalty spotagainst Brentford during the LDV Vans Final at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff today, Sunday 22nd April 2001. **EDI** PA Photo: David Davies
Port Vale's goalscorers Marc Bridge-Wilkinson and Steve Brooker celebrate the 2-1 win over Brentford in the LDV Vans Trophy final at the Millennium Stadium on April 22, 2001

Academy manager Alex Inglethorpe said: “Marc came to us originally as an under-14 coach and I like the fact he’s been a player and knows what it feels and smells like to be a player.

“He’s someone who is very passionate about improving his players as well as improving himself. As an individual he’s caring, patient and authentic.

“He knows how we want to work as an Academy and at this moment in time I think it’s important for us to have continuity.”

Bridge-Wilkinson joined Vale as a free agent after a trial in 2000.

He would score 36 times in 140 appearances over four seasons.