KYLE Critchell has agreed to become Jake Richmond’s number two at Weymouth Reserves.

The first-team star, is eager to get back involved at the club as he continues his recovery from a serious illness, which curtailed his season back in August.

Severe sepsis left Critchell fighting for his life but he is now on the mend and looking forward to the future.

The 26-year-old told Echosport: “I have got a contract until the end of the season and I want to give something back to the football club.

“Not only have I got my coaching badges but I also came up through the youth system at Weymouth and, the fact Jake Richmond has asked me to be his number two, is fantastic.

“My rehabilitation is ongoing but I have started to get better and I am due to return to work in January. “I need some time to focus on my health and life, and get myself physically and mentally back to where I was previously, and I have no doubts this coaching role can help in that.

“This illness has been a huge knock psychologically and I am still very much learning about my condition.

“I am due to go to Oxford soon to one of the most prestigious hospitals in the country and, after that, I should know a lot more.

“Hopefully, it is not the end of my playing career just yet. I still have a few years left and I will be fighting all the way to save it.”

Commenting further on his new role with the reserves, Critchell added: “I have always wanted to get involved in youth football and help develop young players.

“During my time at Southampton, I got to play under some of the best youth coaches around, and hopefully I can now pass on some of that knowledge and expertise to young players trying to make a career in the game.

“It’s a new challenge and I really do feel that we can be successful.”

He continued: “We can give young players the skills, knowledge and development to progress in the game.

“It’s a big step from the Dorset Premier League to the Southern League Premier but we can give them everything to help them achieve that.

“I believe this club needs that type of infrastructure but we have got to build the foundations first.

“We need to start forming closer links with the youth team managers and get a system of progression in place from the under-10s, right up through the age groups, to the reserves and then the first team.

“If we can get that in place and give these players the tools to learn then it can only help Brendon King (first-team boss) and what he wants to achieve.

“I just want to make a difference and do not want to sit on my money until the end of the season.

“Weymouth FC gave me the opportunity to go to Southampton and if I can help just one player come through the ranks and do something similar that would be fantastic.”

This season has proved another difficult one for the Terras so far, both on and off the pitch, but all is not lost according to Critchell.

He said: “First and foremost what people have got to understand is that football is a job and that players rely on it to help pay their bills and support their families.

“I also appreciate fans pay their hard-earned money to come and watch the team and that is why it is so important that everyone in the boardroom works through their differences and, along with Brendon, look to start moving the club forward again.

“Confidence starts at the top and goes right the way through to the bottom and if people can start working together more, I am sure performances will improve too.

“The Southern Premier is a brutal league and the club needs stability. Brendon King brings that certain aura with him, and knows how to make decisions because he has done it before.

“I am not one to take sides, I just wish and hope as a fan that people at the club start to sort things out and begin moving forward together.”