PORTLAND United have appointed former Blues player Kyle Critchell as their new manager, with Jamie Symes his assistant.

Succeeding Franklyn Clarke and Sam Poole, both men have enjoyed successful playing stints at the Camp & Satherley Stadium, with Critchell fulfilling a player-assistant role in 2015/16.

Symes most recently played under bosses Brendon King and Callum Brooks before joining Dorchester Sports in 2020.

He then left the Avenue Stadium side, along with Critchell, before the 2022/23 season began.

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The duo fought off a high-quality list of candidates for the role, vacated by Clarke 11 days ago.

In a club statement, Portland said: Portland United Football Club is delighted and excited to announce that Kyle Critchell has been appointed as the club's new first-team manager.

“Jamie Symes has been appointed as assistant manager.

“As a club, we are excited by the vision of both Kyle and Jamie and we hope for a long and successful chapter in our club's history.”

Although former Wales under-21 international Critchell had a short-lived spell at Portland Town, he has UEFA coaching acumen.

The ex-Southampton youth product has playing experience with top National League clubs including Torquay, Chesterfield, Wrexham and York.

Both Critchell and Symes have played for Weymouth and Dorchester Town, while Symes enjoyed a stint with Bridport under Trevor Senior to complete playing for the ‘big four’ in west Dorset.