FORMER Forest Green press officer Richard Joyce has joined Hellenic Premier Division Brimscombe & Thrupp's backroom staff.

'Joycie' was in the dugout for Brimscombe's 1-0 defeat to Thatcham Town on Saturday.

His role will involve tactical matchday advice, team and opposition  analysis.

Since leaving Forest Green, Joyce was offered a media position at an unnamed EFL Football League Two side, but having secured a communications job at Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, he opted to join Brimscombe on a part-time basis.

"I've had different job offers in football since leaving Forest Green, including a full-time role at a Football League club," Richard revealed.

"I've got a brilliant new job with the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust and an opportunity at Brimscombe, so I feel very lucky.

"I massively appreciate all the people who were kind enough to get in contact, but when Sam Prior and chairman Clive Baker rang me up to ask if I'd be interested in joining Brimscombe, I was interested straight away. It's a fantastic club and one of the best professionally and friendliest run clubs in Gloucestershire.

"Brimscombe have achieved an unbelievable amount in recent years and I want to play a part in helping them progress. In Sam they have a very talented manager and I'm looking forward to working with Clive (Messenger), Tim (Wilkins) and the players on bringing everything I learnt at FGR in the promotion winning season last year to Brimscombe.

"My exit from FGR was hard after everything I gave to that club, but there are far worse things in the world, and I don't think I could ever find a way of saying thank you enough for all of the comments, calls and messages I received from the fans, players and staff when I left.

"I still speak regularly to those in and around the dressing room so I'm kept up to date with what's going on, but I haven't been to a game.

"I waited 19 years to see the club reach the Football League, but on the first day of the season, when they played Barnet, I went to the cinema with my Dad to watch Dunkirk instead - it was a really good film. I thought Fionn Whitehead was brilliant in it."