MICHAEL Meaker has returned to Taunton Town, to take on the role of coach in Rob Dray's management team.

Meaker had been Leigh Robinson's assistant at the club, joining the club in July 2015, but both Robinson and Meaker departed in September last year to take over at Truro City.

But they were sacked after just seven months in charge - Truro being relegated from National League South - and Meaker has now come back to Wordsworth Drive.

A professional footballer for 16 years, he played for QPR in the Premier League and also represented Bristol Rovers and Reading, as well as a host of other Football League and Non-League clubs, and the Welsh international team.

He takes over as coach from Steve Perkins, who had come on board last season but has been unable to commit full-time due to his work with the FA and the travel time.

However, head of football Dray hopes that Perkins will still be able to help with analysis work when time allows.

Dray told the County Gazette: "Steve is full-time with the FA and he lives in Havant, so the logistics were becoming more and more difficult for him.

"Meaks has been available since leaving Truro, we've kept in touch and he jumped at the chance to come back.

"He knows the lads already and is a very good coach.

"He gives us those little fine margins and an extra pair of eyes on games, and he's always honest with me, just as Matt [Villis, assistant manager] is.

"He's a seamless fit; he watched our game on Monday, and trained with us last [Wednesday] night."