Bimson made 37 league starts for the U's between 2003 and 2005

Cambridge United have appointed former player Stuart Bimson as their first-team coach under manager Gary Brabin.

Bimson joins from Bedford Town, where he was manager, and has initially signed a contract for just one season.

The 38-year-old, who played under former managers John Taylor, Herve Renard and Steve Thompson, has already taken training sessions with the squad.

"I've known Gary [Brabin] for a long time and I've known [assistant manager] Paul Carden for years," he said.

He said his arrival in a coaching role would ease the pressure on Carden in his first management role.

He told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire: "The gaffer wanted someone on board who would let Paul Carden concentrate on playing and let myself and the gaffer get on with working the players day-to-day.

"Carden still has his input on sessions we do, but the main thing is to let him play his football and making sure he's one of the bext midfielders in the Conference."

Bimson said he hopes to help the U's gain promotion this season: "Unfortunately in my couple of years here we didn't have success...and ended up with relegation [from the Football League].

"It is nice to be back, and it's nice to be around familiar surroundings, but the main aim has got to be clear and concise - getting promotion and pushing the club back in to the Football League."