STEVE Devlin has been appointed Dorchester Town’s assistant first-team coach.

The experienced midfielder returns to the Magpies having initially signed for the club in October 2009 and went on to make more than 100 appearances before joining Poole Town in 2012.

He he scored 95 goals in 316 appearances and was an integral part of the Dolphins side who won two league titles.

Devlin said: “Obviously it’s strange being back, but Callum is a good friend of mine, and where I’ve had my injury I’m not playing at the moment and I’m just getting my rehab started now, so it’s just a matter of getting back into the swing of things.

“ I’ll be out until May so it’s a bit hard. I’m itching to join in training with the boys but I just can’t risk it.

“My recovery is going well, so it’s just wait and see, and hopefully I can get back to playing next season fingers crossed.”

“We’re in a bit of a tough situa-

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tion at the moment that we need to try and get out of, and what experience I have I’ve got to try and help out as much as I can to get us out of that position.”

“We’ve got a lot of young lads here who just need a little bit of help. Obviously there are some very experienced players here already, but I just think that with the experiences that I do have with what it takes to win the league, be in a relegation fight, and knowing what this league is all about, so to get back into this sort of role I’m really looking forward to it. It’s something I’ve been considering for a while, and I’m just glad that Callum has give me the opportunity to try and win everyone back here and back on our side.”

“To be fair, before I spoke with Callum, I’ve been coming down and watching some games and we’ve got the potential here, but what people have to realise is that we’ve got a young squad, mixed with a few experienced players, it will take a little bit of time to get where we want to be. But if people stick by us and believe in what we’re trying to do is the right thing, it’s a good group we’ve got and a group that’s willing to learn, and hopefully within the next couple of weeks you’ll see the progress that we’re trying to get to where we want to be.”

Boss Callum Brooks said: “Long term Devs has still got aspirations and ambitions to play, and he’s following his rehab programme and that will take care of itself. He’s going to be cautious with the time but the idea is that he’s fit to play for next season.”

“Whilst that’s going on, he’s been in with us on and off over the last month, and we’ve found his input hugely valuable. He’s got a whole wealth of knowledge of this level, knowledge of how to win, how to grind results out, how to play exciting, game changing football and we’ll be tapping into that. He’s been really well received by the group, so we obviously wanted to make it a bit more official.”

“What you’ve got with Devs is a proper person and a proper football man. He’s got a winning mentality, so the more of that mentality we get around this club the better, because over time we’re trying to and want to develop this into a winning club, and it’s not been that way for a long time.”

“Me and Devs have always had a good relationship, we’ve identified where he can help and I’m delighted to have him on board.”