IT may not always be plain sailing but Kendal Town skipper Danny Coid admits he is open to extending his stay at Parkside Road beyond the current campaign.

The 32-year-old joined the Mintcakes during the close season after a 13-year career with Blackpool and short spells at Rotherham United and Accrington Stanley in the Football League.

And having featured in 28 games already this season, Coid is relieved to be managing the injury which forced his retirement from the professional ranks in 2012.

“It can be stressful and hard work at times but I’m pleased to be back playing and never really want to leave Kendal to be fair,” he said.

“I’m happy here and love everything about the club – the people, the lads, the dressing room, the area, everything.

“Surprisingly I’ve managed to keep in one piece and my knee is holding up.

“If it was an everyday thing I don’t think I would be able to cope but with it being part-time you get days rest so I’m coping ok.

“Hopefully my time here will stretch beyond this season, much has to do with budgets which I understand but if everything is right I would be happy to stay.”

Coid made close to 300 Football League appearances before leaving the full-time game, with the vast majority coming during his time at Bloomfield Road.

He was a member of the Blackpool squads which won promotion from English football’s fourth tier to the top flight inside ten years and lifted the Football League Trophy twice in three seasons.

But despite this wealth of experience, Coid concedes to being surprised by the quality of semi-professional football.

“This level is new to me and the standard is a lot better than I thought it would be,” he added.

“I came thinking it would be pretty easy but it’s difficult at times and can be a battle in the middle of the park.

“I’m not a midfielder really and playing in there is tough but I’m getting used to it now – in the past I was just a pretty boy at right-back or left-back just keeping the ball.”

Maison McGeechan’s late strike proved only a consolation as Kendal lost 3-1 at Harrogate Railway Athletic at the weekend, putting pay to manager Dave Foster’s target of ending December unbeaten.

But despite Saturday’s defeat, Coid believes the make-up of the Kendal squad is now on the right tracks for the remainder of the season.

“A few people have gone and a few people have come in and we seem to have the right blend in the team now,” he said.

“We had a run of bad games around November time and lost too many games we should have won.

“But there is a lot of belief in the team now and the dressing room is a lot better than it was at the start of the season.

“We have people who want to be here, play and want to win. Hopefully the positive results we had in December are the start of a very good run.”