Falmouth Town’s title bid for the Carlsberg South West Peninsula League Premier has received an unlikely boost in recent weeks from former Premiership football manager Bruce Rioch.

Rioch, who had spells in charge of clubs such as Bolton Wanderers, Middlesbrough, Norwich City and Arsenal, has moved to the area.

He approached Falmouth Town FC to see if he could hold some training with the players and has run three sessions already.

His help at the club has coincided with an up turn in form for the side, which has seen them win seven out of eight games in 2010.

Falmouth Town manager Alan Carey, who has transformed the team from relegation candidates to title contenders since taking over in January 2009, said Rioch’s help is fantastic news for the club.

“It is really excellent to have him come in and help. He is a really nice guy and the players have warmed to him and responded to his training sessions.”

Rioch, who also made over 600 appearances as a player, is highly regarded in the footballing world and it is less than two years since he was managing professionally as boss of Danish club Aalborg BK.

At Middlesbrough he managed to achieve back-to-back promotions in 1987 and 1988 despite working on a limited budget.

He is regarded as one of Botlon Wanderers most successful managers, having guided them from the division two to the Premiership. He is also the boss who brought Dennis Bergkamp to the Premiership, with Arsenal.