Regeneration, retail and public spaces are all high on the agenda for the Birmingham City football fan, who is already brushing up on her rugby league rules in a bid to get behind the district's Super League teams.

And she has promised to have a more public role than her predecessor, John Foster, who parted company with the council after five years at the turn of the year.

Ms Roney, 46, will officially join the council after leaving her role as deputy chief executive of Sheffield Council, a high-profile role she has maintained for seven years.

She said: "I'm really excited and Wakefield has bags of potential, a lot of regeneration with more to come and I think the opportunity of taking on a council that is prepared to change and improve is a great opportunity for me.

"There are problems in Wakefield in common with other areas, but Wakefield has positives that other places would relish like fantastic transport links and great schools.

"Wakefield was a centre of some distinction in the past and I would like to be part of restoring that again."

Ms Roney formerly worked in Kirklees, so knows the West Yorkshire area and has a wealth of top-level experience in local government and housing issues.

She said: "If there's one thing to have as a legacy, it would be the further improvement of public places and continuing to make the city centre more attractive, increasing the retail on offer and encouraging a cafe culture.

"There are very strong, distinct communities in Wakefield and I'm personally very interested in hearing what people in Wakefield have to say.

"Coun Box and I are already planning on getting out and about into the community to speak to people.

"And with Birmingham City being relegated recently, I might have to forget about football and turn my attentions to rugby league and the great teams we have here."

Council Leader Peter Box said: "She brings a wealth of experience which will help us to take forward our priorities of safer and stronger communities, skills, enterprise and work.

"She joins the council at an exciting and challenging time."