FRANK Everett says taking up the role of Bowers & Pitsea’s assistant manager was “a no-brainer” after hanging up his boots.

The 31-year-old will assist manager Rob Small in Bowers’ first ever season in the Ryman One North, having played a part in getting them there last term before disaster struck.

Everett was involved in a collision with his own goalkeeper last October, breaking his cheekbone and jaw in an incident which could have killed him.

Two metal plates were inserted below his gums as part of his jaw’s reconstruction, after Bowers’ club vice-chairman Mike Barnard stumped up £4,000 to pay for his dental bills.

But, after hearing a fortnight ago that he would have to undergo surgery once again after a plate started showing, Everett said he felt the time was right to move on although it wasn’t what he had initially planned.

“I was going to come back and play but I need to have another operation – a plate has come through and the surgeon said we would have to take it out,” said Everett, formerly of Canvey Island and Grays Athletic among others.

“I should have able to have the plater out without any more dental damage and I took it as a sign, so this was a great opportunity for me.

“Rob and I are close in terms of talking about the future and I was keen to coach or be assistant after playing and the injury has just sped up the process. It was a no brainer.

“I have no coaching qualifications but I have experience so it is a leap of faith from Rob but we think along the same lines. We will do the badges in the next few seasons.”

Everett took his first training session last Tuesday when Bowers returned to pre-season training and he said the team were champing at the bit to return to action.

And while he said it felt odd not taking part himself, he is more than happy with the squad Small has assembled.

“I never played again after the injury but I wanted to be able to give 100 per cent and do myself justice,” he said. “I am very happy with the decision I’ve made and I don’t think about ‘I wish I was playing’.

“The squad looks good. We want to give them a chance from last year and continuity is a good thing for everyone. We have got those targets and things look promising.”