​BLUES hero Iain O’Connell will form a dream team with Chris Kinnear after being named Margate’s new manager.

O’Connell – a massive fans’ favourite during the club’s Conference glory days – has signed a deal to the end of next season.

He’ll be joined by fellow Gate legend Chris Kinnear who will return as director of football, as revealed in Friday’s Isle of Thanet Gazette.

Kinnear – controversially sacked four years ago after leading the club to the most successful period in their history – is the perfect man to help O’Connell guide Blues to safety.

The new boss, who joins from Ryman 1 North side Great Wakering, said: “Chris will be a great help to me and, in fact, he is anyway because he’s told me to ring him any time I like.

“I was with him for 12 years at Dover and Margate so I know him well.

“He’s a busy man with his teaching and scouting work with Wolves but I hope he’ll be here soon.”

O’Connell will be surrounded by familiar faces from the past as he bids to keep Margate in the Ryman Premier League.

He’s made former team-mate Jay Saunders his first signing while John Keister has been named coach.