TWO former team-mates at non-league Leicester United have joined forces at West Street to try and bring the glory days back to Chatteris Town.

Ossie Mintus, 41, and Paul Crosbie, 35, have enjoyed vastly different coaching careers since they played together at Leicester in the 1990s.

While Mintus had spells in charge of Histon Reserves and Ely City Reserves, Crosbie’s last job was as technical director of the Turks and Caicos Islands, in the West Indies.

But the duo were reunited at Chatteris’ final game of the season on Saturday - and they have already started plotting the route to success in the next campaign.

Mintus, who will take over from caretaker boss Julian Young, said: “Chatteris have got some really good footballers and I think I can really do something with them.

“They are a tight bunch with good team spirit and I’m hoping we can build on that. I think in the future we can go up.

“That won’t happen next season - the club isn’t financially ready - but I’m hoping that after a couple of seasons we will be able to take the club forward.

“It’s very exciting for me. It’s going to be hard work but they are a talented bunch.”

Crosbie, who helped the Turks and Caicos Islands shrug off their tag as the second worst team in world football, will become a coach at Chatteris.

The UEFA B badge holder, who now lives in Friday Bridge, said: “It doesn’t matter whether you’re at the Turks and Caicos Islands or Chatteris - the challenge is no different. That challenge is giving the boys something they want to be part of.

“The club have got ambitions and, if enough people pull together, you never know what could happen.”

Mintus revealed he was looking to sign a handful of players over the summer, including a striker, a midfielder and a defender.

Young, who has guided the Lilies to safety during his 12 games in charge, masterminded a final point on Saturday.

A brace from Tony Brown and an Aidan Hollis goal earned Chatteris a 3-3 draw with Brampton - securing a 13th place finish.