BEING Mark Jermyn’s second in command at Dorchester Town is the “perfect” role for Nick Crittenden.

The 36-year-old, assistant to the Magpies’ new boss, would like to be a manager himself in the future, but for now it is all about doing what he can to help Jermyn.

Crittenden also wants to play his part for the Avenue outfit on the pitch, and he is hoping to shrug off a back problem in time for either the trip to Hungerford on Saturday or next Tuesday’s home game against Arlesey.

Speaking to Echosport about his position on the coaching team, he said: “I’m not saying I never want to be a manager one day, but the role I have now is perfect for me.

“A lot of pressure can come with the responsibilities a manager has so I am there to offer my help on the training pitch and in the dressing room.

“If there’s anything I can do to help him I will as he has a lot of work on his hands.

“Jem coming back is a massive boost for the club and hopefully it will give us a bit more stability.

“I’ve seen a lot of managers come and go at Dorchester but it was the right decision from the club, and now Jem should be given the time he needs.

“It’s good to have Stuart Heath around as well as there are going to be times when me and Jem are both on the field and we need that extra man in the dugout.”

The veteran midfielder is confident that the Magpies have enough quality in their squad to ease clear of the Evo-Stik Southern Premier Division relegation zone.

Last Saturday’s defeat at Truro, Jermyn and Crittenden’s first match in charge of the side, meant Dorchester stayed 21st in the table, one place away from safety.

“We should maintain our status as a Southern Premier League side this season and then we can rebuild in the summer,” added former Yeovil ace Crittenden.

“We have proved on occasions that we’ve got the players who are capable of keeping the club in this league, we’ve just got to do it more regularly.

“We’re not in the best of positions but I honestly believe we have got the right squad to get us out of it.

“I think we will be relatively safe come the last six weeks of the season, so then we can try to look at the way we play next season.”

Commenting on how things have gone so far, he continued: “We’ve definitely had a positive reaction from the players.

“They want to work hard to keep the club in the league.

“We are putting our trust in the players and they will get a chance, we just want to see an improvement game on game.”

Dorchester’s reserves take on Winchester City at the Avenue tonight (7.45pm) in the Wyvern Premier League.