NEW Portland United manager Kyle Critchell admitted his move to the Blues was about “more than football”.

Critchell, who was player-assistant at Portland under Gary Bailey’s management, has succeeded Franklyn Clarke and Sam Poole as boss.

Jamie Symes is his player-assistant and also has experience with the Blues, having captained the islanders in his previous stint up to 2020.

And Critchell believes his job is three-fold as the community feel at Portland, the player pathway and the challenge of lifting the Blues up from 15th in the Wessex League all tempted him.

Speaking to Portland's media man Josh Barton, he said: “We’re so excited for the opportunity.

READ MORE: Kyle Critchell named new Portland United manager

“When we had discussions, everything matched up and there was an alignment in our thoughts and feelings.

“This is more than football for us. It’s about community, bringing the youngsters together with the reserves and first team.

“Ultimately, we’re here to do a job and that’s to win football matches. Progression will be the key word.”

Asked how the move came about, the ex-Weymouth and Dorchester defender said: “Jamie and I were actually going to apply when Callum Brooks (resigned).

“I was away on holiday so I didn’t end up applying. When this opportunity came up, we applied, got an interview and from that moment onwards everything was sold to us.

“It just feels like the committee, the club and us have some form of alignment that’s key to what we want to achieve.

“Young lads in this area should be looking forward to it, because they’re going to get opportunities.”

Symes added: “We work together and as soon as the job came up, he turned to me and was like: ‘Let’s do it, let’s go for it’.

“Obviously being an ex-player here I know the club really well and it’s just an opportunity I couldn’t turn down, it’s brilliant.”

Clarke and Poole are widely recognised as having laid the foundations for future success at Portland and Critchell paid tribute to their predecessors.

He said: “Firstly, we need to thank Franklyn and Sam and the committee as a whole. A couple of years ago, the club was in trouble and didn’t have a lot of players.

“They had to create something from scratch, so they’ve done an amazing job to get us to where we are now.

“It’s our job to carry that burden on and look forwards, create something that’s ours with the past still etched in what’s been done.

“There’s a lot of work to be done. We’re in a precarious position in terms of the league. Reggie (Carter) has done an amazing job last week.

“Again, the word that we’re going to use quite often is progression and that’s what we’re going to look for.”

Critchell and Symes will watch from the stands at Blackfield & Langley today (3pm) weather permitting, with Carter and interim assistant Andy Mallet continuing in their roles for one final game.