CHERRIES favourite Mark Molesley will assist under-21s boss Stephen Purches during the forthcoming campaign. 

The 35-year-old, who scored five times in 60 appearances at Dean Court between 2009 and 2013, steps up after a spell coaching the under-15s on a part-time basis last season.

He will dovetail his new position with his player-coach role at non-league Weymouth. 

Purches said: “I’m really looking forward to working more closely with Mark this year.

“It’s good to have another voice in the camp so the lads don’t just have to listen to me and it’s good to bounce ideas off someone too.

"It’s great to get a former player involved as someone who knows how the academy works here.

“He’s a great character and will complement the rest of the staff we have.

"Mark has been through the journey with this club through the tough times and he’ll also marry the role up with his duties at Weymouth. 

“He can check out any players at that level who might be coming through and we’re looking forward to seeing what he can deliver this season.”