Wallsend Boys Club coach Peter Kirkley has revealed he's rejected an offer from Sunderland to join their youth setup.

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is a graduate from the famous junior club.

Kirkley told The Journal: "It's been great to have Steve back on the patch, he's not changed. He's still a credit to the club.

"He's desperate to get me into Sunderland but Wallsend is my number one priority, and I still do a bit for Newcastle too.

"When Dennis Wise came in he had this idea I was too old but what he forgets is that it is the eyes that tell you whether someone will be a player or not and you only get that experience from watching a lot of football."