“BRING on the challenge” was the call from Mark Jermyn after agreeing to be the Magpies’ new player-manager.

The Dorchester legend has returned to the club he graced for 14 years, insisting that he is ready for the job that lies ahead.

Speaking to Echosport, the 33-year-old said he was glad to be back at the Avenue following an eight-month stint with Poole Town and hoped his arrival could lift the county town outfit.

He also stated that he is keen to give the players an opportunity to show what they can do, rather than “start ruling with an iron fist”.

Jermyn, whose first game in charge will be at Truro City this weekend, watched from the stands on Saturday as the Magpies beat Banbury United 3-1.

Nick Crittenden and Stuart Heath led the hosts to victory from the sidelines, and Jermyn has confirmed that both are part of his management team.

Jermyn, who played more than 600 times for the Magpies, always said he wanted to come back to his spiritual home one day.

And even with fans clamouring for him to replace Graham Kemp, he didn’t think it would be this soon.

“This is something that I was always interested in doing but I didn’t think it would happen so quickly,” he said.

“It wasn’t an easy decision to go from a team at the top of the league to one fighting to stay in it, but at the same time it was a decision I made with my heart.

“I didn’t leave in the best of circumstances last May but there was no ill feeling between me and the supporters.

“I never wanted to leave and so I’m glad to be back.

“I always played whole-heartedly and that’s how I’m going to do this job.

“Most of the people at the club and Poole know what regard I hold Dorchester in.

“I can only hope that showing my intentions by coming back can give the club the lift it needs.

“I’m ready for it so bring on the challenge.”

While there are players at the club Jermyn knows well, there are others he will have seen for the first time on Saturday.

And, although fresh faces are likely to be brought in at some point, Jermyn wants to give everyone in the squad a fair crack of the whip.

He added: “People need an opportunity to show what they can do and I need a chance to see what I am working with.

“I certainly want us to be a professional outfit but at the same time I don’t want to ruffle too many feathers straight away.

“If I go in and start ruling with an iron fist then it is not going to go down too well.

“I obviously know some of the players at the club, others I don’t know as well, so I want to give people a chance.

“I’m not going to pull the team apart as soon as I start.”

Assessing the side and their league position, he continued: “There is no reason for the club to be where it is in the league.

“We have got good players and I don’t see why they are in the position they are.

“I don’t want to think about going down.

“We have got enough games left to get out of the position we are in.

“We need to refocus, see what our strengths are and work to those, and improve on our weaknesses.”

Jermyn revealed that he could bring another face into the coaching set-up, but for now is happy with what he has got.

“I’ve spoken to Critts and he is happy to assist me, and Stuart is going to provide more of a coaching element,” said Jermyn, who also praised Poole, in particular boss Tommy Killick and director Chris Reeves, for their support.

“Nick has been around a number of years and has a knowledge of the game that I want to utilise as much as I can.

“Stuart said he didn’t see himself going for the manager’s position so I’m happy with him coaching the team.

“We need to get through to the end of the season, re-evaluate things, look at the structure and go from there, and that will be the same with the playing staff.”