CLYDEBANK favourite Paul Bell has revealed he hopes his connection with the Bankies will continue beyond the end of his playing days.

The commanding centre back, now into his fourth season with the club, admitted he has aspirations of coaching once his career on the park comes to an end. And, he insisted he sees no place better to do so than under the tutelage of the Bankies coaching staff.

Bell told SportScene: “I think I still have a few seasons left in my tank — I see myself seeing my playing days out at Clydebank and then hopefully joining the backroom staff after my playing days are over.

“I would love for that to be here at Clydebank — the banter and camaraderie in the backroom staff is fantastic and I would love to be a part of that and help out with the coaching so I could continue my time with the club.” The 36-year-old couldn’t be more lavish in his praise of the Bankies support. The former Kilbirnie Ladeside defender has formed a close bond the fans with since signing from amateur side St. Patricks, and stressed their importance to the players.

He continued: “I love it at Clydebank, you see in the big games, like the cup final with Cumbernauld, the support this side receives is absolutely fantastic, when we play the likes of Auchinleck Talbot at home it attracts about a 1,000 fans which is massive.

“Even in the smaller games, or away games the fans still turn out in numbers, taking buses down to Ayrshire, bringing over 200 fans to away games, it really is just a great club to be a part of.

“For a club without their own facilities and ground, we have achieved so much and the fans have continued to back us which goes to show how good a support we have and would like to think I have a good relationship with them.” Despite his aspirations to stay with the club beyond his playing days, Bell was quick to stress that he doesn’t intend on hanging up his boots any time soon.

With pre season training now well underway, the centre back admitted he relishes the prospect of being put through his paces — as it helps him keep in shape for the season ahead.

He added: “I love to train, I’ve noticed that the more experienced guys like myself and Austin McCann love to train, — or at least like it more than the younger guys. But it clearly pays off as I feel great and I am looking forward to the new season.

“I just want to play, I feel better than ever. I would say I could still play on for at least another two or three years.” And, with the Bankies squad now taking shape, Bell acknowledges his position as a more experienced player within the side can be vital, but pointed to other members of the team who can play a similar role.

He said: “I’ve always been a big character in the dressing room and being more experienced, I’m always willing to help the younger guys out and keep my eye on them.

“But they are as much help to me as they keep me on my toes, pushing me so I have to be on my best form to be in the side.

“I had a spell where I found myself out of the team last season and a few of the supporters were saying I need to be playing so I battled back, got myself back in the side and managed to cement that place in the side a few weeks before the cup final.

“Obviously, Auzzy is the captain but the side is full of characters and it helps build a good dressing room. We have Tommy Martin who has been here for years, Scott Walker and the keeper Robert Hamilton who are all good guys to have around the place.”