Primus eager to mentor next generation at Portsmouth

Former Portsmouth defender Linvoy Primus hopes to be taking on a mentoring role with the club.

With the aim of helping youngsters understand the importance of their role-model status and the need for community work, he is convinced he can make a difference.

Primus told The News: "We've got a good bunch of young lads here.

"They are hungry and the nice thing is are not tainted by the football world. They don't see all the trimmings and think that's what they have got to aim and get. They want to do more. There is more to life than just going out and kicking a ball, they realise that, as young people, they are treated as role models.

"Helping them realise that excites me. It excites me more than coaching. I think in coaching there is only a certain amount you can do – and it can change very quickly. A new manager comes in and wants to change the whole thing and you are a part of that.

"But as a player, I've seen what happens to guys when they go off track and end up getting released. I've seen where they end up going and it's not a good place to go. So if there's an opportunity to help them I would like to be there, because I've seen it.

"It would be amazing to be a mentor. That for me would give that completeness of what a footballer can be. If you get them at an age early enough where they realise there's more to being a footballer than just being out on the pitch, they will not only benefit themselves but the club and other people.

"It has helped my life in a big, big way and it will definitely help their lives."