Gavin Skelton has spoken of his pride at being promoted to assistant manager at Carlisle United – and his belief the club can compete at the right end of League Two.

The Cumbrian, previously under-18 coach, was appointed No2 to Steven Pressley after the removal of coaches Tommy Wright and Paul Murray.

The 38-year-old says he is looking forward to working in tandem with Pressley when United return for pre-season training in two weeks’ time.

Skelton also said it means a lot to get the opportunity in the senior set-up at his boyhood club.

He said: “It sounds corny but, when I think I started watching Carlisle when I was four or five in the old Scratching Shed, and a lot of my family have been season-ticket holders…it’s a proud moment.”

Skelton said he had not been expecting to be chosen as Pressley’s new assistant but his ambition made the offer easy to accept.

“You always hope,” he said. “It’s always a shame when people lose their jobs, that is difficult. I know [the club] spoke to other people, and I’m grateful to get the opportunity.

“You never expect, but I’m ambitious and when an opportunity like this comes I want to make the most of it.

“A couple of weeks ago I spoke to the gaffer and [director of football] David Holdsworth, they asked me a few questions, went through the brief of what the role would be, and then [a few days later] I got a phonecall.

“I didn’t actually know what I was coming in for – all sorts goes through your mind – but then I got the good news and I was delighted. I couldn’t wait to tell my family and they were as excited as I was.

“I’ve done a wide range of roles – manager of Workington and Queen of the South, assistant manager, worked with the youth team, been a captain – and I think that does help me. I can appreciate what people are looking for in different roles.

“It’s like life – experiences are really valuable and hopefully I can bring my experience and skill set to this job.”

Pressley had involved Skelton in the first-team set-up at times last season and the Cumbrian hopes they can further develop a good rapport.

Skelton also joked that his encounter for Gretna with Hearts’ Pressley as a player in the Scottish Cup Final in 2006 had led to this reunion.

“I gave him a cup final medal by missing that penalty [in the shoot-out] all those years ago, so maybe it’s payback and I’ve had to go through all these years to get there!” he said.

“We’ve not worked together before but I’ve known him quite a few years on a casual basis – when he was at Falkirk, they trained at Stirling, I lived in Stirling when I played for Hamilton, and you bump into each other now and again.

“When he came in last season I spoke to him a few times and he got me to watch games etc – it’s a good template for the relationship to build and hopefully that will become stronger and stronger. I’m looking forward to learning from him and hopefully I can assist him in helping make the club successful.”

Skelton said he will not be afraid to “challenge” Pressley as part of his job, and said his remit has been made clear.

“It’s clear – there’s no grey lines, I know what’s expected, what days we’re training, what parts I’ll be taking, what parts the manager’s in charge of.

“It’s a case of bouncing off him, what he’s looking for on a day-to-day basis, roles and responsibilities. From my past experiences I feel I can bring that and be a real asset.”

United are still in need of a number of new signings, having added former Aston Villa forward Harry McKirdy to a threadbare squad this week and last night seen Mike Jones agree a new deal.

Skelton said: “I know the director of football and manager are really working hard on it. I’m well aware of what’s going on, there’s lots of irons in the fire as everyone says, but it’s quite exciting.”

On United’s aims in 2019/20, he added: “You always want to improve on last season and you want to aim for the play-offs, or promotion. If you can’t be optimistic, positive and confident at this stage it’s worrying.

“The manager is really positive about it and we want to be at the top end of the league. There’s a good structure in place, a blueprint being put in place, that famous word ‘DNA’…it’s positive and we’re confident we can have a good season.”

Skelton also commented for the first time on his short-lived spell back at Workington as manager midway through last season.

He left United for a second stint as Reds boss, only to quit after just six days and return to his Carlisle academy post.

Skelton said: “I regret how it went at Workington because I have the utmost respect for everyone at that club and how they were with me, but it was the right decision for me.

“I let some people down, which I regret, but personally it is the right thing for me.

“I don’t regret [the decision] because [this is] a good football club, a full-time environment and somewhere I’ve always wanted to work. I’m grateful for the opportunity.”