NEW Maldon and Tiptree boss David Wright has ruled out any playing role after taking charge at Park Drive.

The 35-year-old hung up his boots last November, bringing the curtain down on a successful playing career which saw him clock up nearly 550 appearances for the likes of Colchester United, Ipswich Town and Wigan Athletic.

Wright is now preparing for his first-ever managerial job, which he will combine with a full-time coaching role at the U’s.

However, he said he will not be making a playing comeback – and will be concentrating solely on being a boss.

Wright said: “When I decided to leave Colchester, I also decided to hang my boots up.

“I took that decision because I wanted to go 100 per cent into coaching.

“I would find it extremely difficult to do both roles and play at the same time.”

Wright’s appointment as Maldon manager is part of a new link-up between the Ryman League division one north side and Colchester.

The Maldon and Burnham Standard understands that Wright will spearhead Colchester’s new relationship with the Jammers.

The U’s are still awaiting official Football League ratification on the arrangement.

Colchester chairman Robbie Cowling is expected to hold further meetings with Wright and Maldon chairman Ed Garty, in the coming weeks. But the alliance could see some of Colchester’s young players representing the Jammers in the Ryman League, in the forthcoming campaign.

“When I was a player at Colchester, I had a very good relationship with Robbie (Cowling),” added Wright, who had been coaching the under-16s at Ipswich for the last 18 months.

“Over the last week or so, our discussions have been very open and honest.

“Robbie has a clear vision about how he wants to take it forward and develop the kids and he likes to think outside of the box.

“The four main elements are technical, tactical, psychological and physical.

“They’ve been doing that for quite a while abroad but as far as I know, not too many have done it here – I think it just shows how forward-thinking Robbie is.”