Boro's Bolder eyes playing return

Scarborough Athletic's new assistant-manager Chris Bolder still has plans of returning to the club's playing staff.
Steve Kittrick and Chris BolderSteve Kittrick and Chris Bolder
Steve Kittrick and Chris Bolder

Bolder, who suffered a horrendous knee injury just over a year ago during a home fixture against Bamber Bridge, has set his sights on first-team football before the end of the season.

But the 33-year-old will only pull on a Boro shirt if his knee is 100% ready.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"It is still sore, but I've been in the position where I can participate in a bit of training to stengthen things up," he said.

"My new role of assistant-manager is making this a little difficult though because you can't lead and coach a session and join in at the same time.

"My knee is strong, but it just needs that intensity through it. I'm pencilled in to play in an under-21s game at the end of this month and we'll take things from there.

"At my age you have to weigh up your options, but I still want to pull on a Scarborough Athletic shirt if my knee is up to it.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"My initial plan was to get back playing before the end of this season and that could still be the case."

Bolder's playing future might still be up in the air, but he is relishing his new role under manager Steve Kittrick.

He added: "I played under Steve at Ossett and Guiseley, over the years I have followed how he has done in his career.

"I bumped into him at a match and he told me that he was looking for a path back into football, but that was that because at the time Paul Foot and Bryan Hughes were still in charge and Steve was talking to a few other clubs.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"Things have worked out as they have though and it is great to be given the chance to work with Steve once again.

"The experience Bryan and Paul gave me as a coach was brilliant and I want to thank them for that opportunity.

"Now I am assistant I have to have a different point of view because it is about dealing with the team's infrastructure, talking to players and that kind of thing.

"It is all very new to me, but it is something I'm really enjoying."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Bolder believes there will be a few changes to the Boro squad under his and Kittrick's leadership, but he doesn't think that they are too far away.

"We're not a million miles away, but it is clear to see that we do need a bit of strength, depth and quality," Bolder said.

"We'll be getting a few bodies in and then we'll be making it into a settled side.

"There is still a long way to go this season and there is always one side in these leagues that puts together a late charge.

"If you can get a run together of 10 or so good results then who knows what can happen. Firstly though we need to make sure we get things right and get the lads playing how Steve wants them to play."