Gavin Skelton said the chance to rejoin boyhood club Carlisle United was too strong to turn down after he hung up his boots to become an academy coach at Brunton Park.

The 36-year-old, who ended last season playing for Annan Athletic, has joined the Cumbrians' youth set-up.

He will work alongside academy boss and fellow Cumbrian Darren Edmondson with United's under-18 side.

It means former Workington Reds and Queen of the South boss Skelton, from Kirkby Thore, has come full circle with his career, having started as a trainee with United.

"I was mascot at Carlisle when I was four or five years old and Wes Saunders was captain," Skelton said.

"I went on to make it through the youth set-up and, although I only made a couple of starts and a few sub appearances, it was a big achievement for me to play first-team football.

"It's good to be back involved with the club and I'm delighted to have this new role.

"I can't speak highly enough of Annan - I enjoyed playing there and the management and committee were great.

"But I started to pick up a couple of injuries towards the end, and that was maybe telling me to stop.

"My eye has always been on coaching over the last couple of years and this is a great opportunity at Carlisle."

Skelton's arrival sees long-serving David Wilkes step up to a new position as head of academy coaching at United.

Skelton, meanwhile, is professional development phase coach, having started his new role this week.

The former Gretna favourite said he was determined to help the Blues produce some top young players, whilst also enhancing his own coaching career.

He said: "It's a good opportunity to develop as a coach, work with some good people and try and make the young lads better players - push them on to getting professional contracts, but also help them become better people.

"I've had a bit of experience in coaching now, and I've always enjoyed working with young players.

"If I can improve as a coach along the way then hopefully the players will improve as well.

"Every club wants to bring players through, but they're only going to get in the first team if they're good enough, not just because they've come through the system.

"That's the challenge for the players and also for us as an academy - to make sure they are ready for that environment. From my first few days here I can tell there's a real process in place. Hopefully I can add to that and make the academy that bit stronger."

Although United's youth players aged 16 to 18 will not return for pre-season until late June, Skelton will spend much of the summer working at the club.

He added: "I know Darren and Chris Blake, as well as a couple of the other academy staff, which will help me bed in. But that doesn't mean it's a pals act. I'm here to do a job and want to prove my worth.

"I know Darren and Blakey have already started the process, but it will be about helping to bring the whole academy together and helping everything to improve.

"Since the EPPP [Elite Player Performance Plan] came in, a lot has changed. I've had a bit of experience of it but the next few weeks will be vital to get fully to grips with it and also get everything in place before the lads come back."