“I’VE always got an opinion, now it is an official opinion,” is how James Mortimer-Jones describes his new dual role as player and assistant manager at Cirencester Town.

The man who was appointed Charlie Griffin’s number two on Saturday, and has played more than 300 games for the club added: “I can’t see my relationship with the lads changing too much. Even from an early age I have always been quite an authoritative character.

“Sometimes I look like Mr Angry on the field but I make myself heard for a reason and I like to think it is constructive.

“Charlie rang me to let me know about Oggie’s decision to step down and I remember saying that if he wanted me to give him a hand until he found someone I’d be happy to.

“I suppose I have been doing the job for the last couple of weeks without the title.

“It is just fate how it has all come about and when I was offered the assistant’s role I did not hesitate.

“Being a manager does not really appeal to me because of all the stress that goes with it. But I can see myself as a number two.”

Unsurprisingly this most popular member of the team seems to have the full support of the squad.

“At the Malmesbury Vics game Alan Griffin said wouldn’t I fancy it and other senior members of the squad like Coupes and Conns said I should put my name in the hat.

“And it has been encouraging to get so many messages from the other lads since the appointment.

“But I do want to stay playing for as long as I can.

“I was not planning to play so many games this season in any case. I kept playing last season because it was a case of needs must, although I could have done with a rest.

“With the squad we now have, I’ve got to be at my best just to get into the team and there is not the same pressure to get through 90 minutes.”

Jonah, as he is more commonly known, is delighted with the team that boss Griffin has assembled in the close season.

“It is Charlie’s team this year,” he said. “We have a really, really good set of characters who mix well and they are all keen and buying into the way Charlie wants us to play.”

“In the past Cirencester have ground teams down and relied a lot on set pieces but on the evidence of pre-season so far we now carry a real goal threat.

“You can tell that all Ben (Whitehead) wants to do is score and that is benefiting Alan as he can stay more central in the danger areas.”

Jonah is also hoping that historical precedent works as far the new state of the art 3G pitch is concerned.

“It should be a big advantage to us,” he said. “Slough Town were just a mid-table side until they got their 3G pitch. Merthyr and Redditch have proved very strong sides at home as have Maidstone. “I don’t want to get too carried away but there are a lot of positive signs this season.

“And it’s great to have Taunton Town, one of the teams expected to do well this season, in our first game. I’m really looking forward to it.”