MALMESBURY Victoria have strengthened their backroom staff by appointing Paul Rose as assistant manager.

The Hellenic League club's Graham Learmouth has previously been working solo but now has the vast experience of Rose to lean on.

The 41-year-old, of Colborne Close, Chippenham, is one of the most experienced of local footballers with 55 caps for Wiltshire.

He played at Western and Southern League levels for over 20 years with Chippenham Town and Trowbridge Town, which included an FA Vase semi-final with Trowbridge in 1990.

In the early 1990s he had two years playing alongside Mark Lawrenson as Moreton Town won the Hellenic League in consecutive seasons.

A rounded sportsman Rose also played cricket at Lords for Goatacre Cricket Club.

His first match in the new role will be on Saturday in the Wiltshire Senior Cup against Shrewton.

"I've known Graham for years when we used to play against each other quite a bit," Rose said.

"We've been friends for a long time and I also know John Wilkins who is on the committee at Malmesbury and we've played a lot of cricket together.

"I've been out of the game since I retired from playing although I did a couple of seasons with the youth team when Robbie Lardner was the manager.

"Generally I've been keeping an eye out looking for the right job because most of the jobs are taken around here and everybody seems to be fixed up."

Rose said it was both his past friendship with Learmouth and the professionalism of the club that convinced him to make his return to football.

"I was looking to get back into it but I was not really desperate," he added. "I had a chat with Graham about three or four months ago and he needed an assistant because he had been doing it on his own.

"I was pleased they came to me and it is a very well run club. The pitch is excellent, the changing facilities are impressive and they have just got new floodlights."

Rose feels his experience in the game can be of use to Malmesbury and hopes he can form a good partnership with Learmouth.

"Graham was looking for someone with a bit of experience who had been around a little bit and I probably fit that bill," Rose continued.

"I'm looking forward to working with him. My main role will be to help with training and the pep talk on match days. "I'll basically offer another opinion which is always good to have. Two men in the changing room is better than one sometimes."