THE managerial duo that guided Tranent Juniors to an historic cup double last season have been reunited.

Kenny Rafferty and Darren Smith have been appointed co-managers of soon-to-be senior side Dalkeith Thistle.

The former Tranent co-bosses were at the helm as the club celebrated an historic cup double in 2016/17, claiming both the Fife & Lothians Cup and the East of Scotland Cup.

But less than six months after lifting those trophies, both Rafferty, 40, and 38-year-old Smith departed the club, citing “non-footballing” reasons for their departure.

After seven months away from the game, Rafferty, who runs a joinery business based in Tranent, is ready to step back into management at King’s Park as Dalkeith prepare to move to the East of Scotland League along with a host of other East Region junior clubs, including all four East Lothian junior teams.

Former Musselburgh Athletic midfielder Smith, meanwhile, will move from Newtongrange Star – another club heading for the East of Scotland League – where he has been an integral part of the playing squad this season.

Of his new role, Smith said: “We’re really looking forward to this new challenge – we see it as a great opportunity for us in our return to management and we want to help the club progress next season.”

Former Berwick Rangers and Brechin City man Smith plans to combine his role as co-boss with playing, as he did at Foresters Park.

He reached his second successive Fife and Lothians Cup final this season but Newtongrange, managed by former Musselburgh and Haddington boss Stevie McLeish, were thrashed 5-1 by Bonnyrigg Rose on June 9.

A spokesman for Dalkeith Thistle said: “The club is delighted to announce its new management team of Darren Smith and Kenny Rafferty following the resignation of Kevin Haynes.

“This is an exciting time for the Jags and we hope the Dalkeith community support the club and new management team as we head into a new era in the East of Scotland League.”

Tranent Juniors, meanwhile, wished the pair, described as “Tranent legends”, all the best for their new jobs.

A post on the club’s Facebook page said: “We would like to wish Kenny Rafferty and Darren Smith the very best luck in their new role as co-managers of Dalkeith Thistle.”