Town board ready to interview applicants

9:58am Sunday 20th April 2008

SEVERAL more candidates have put themselves forward for the job of Basingstoke Town manager, with the board planning to hold interviews next week.

More than 20 people submitted applications for the role before Wednesday's deadline and the board have been impressed by the quality of these.

Paul Carney, the club's operations director, said: "We have had applications from a number of managers with conference credentials and also from two or three who have not managed but have interesting CVs.

"There has been quite a large amount of interest now and we have spoken to a number of applicants informally to begin the shortlisting process.

"We are very interested in talking to at least 10 of the applicants informally. We are then looking to interview five or six people and these meetings will take place next week."

While Carney accepts that it is important to appoint the new man sooner rather than later, he insists that the club will not be rushed into a decision.

"One or two of the applicants are still with clubs and would want to remain there until the end of the season, but we would hope to have the new man in place in early May," he said.

"Steve Richardson would still take the Hampshire Senior Cup final, but that would give whoever comes in plenty of chance to talk to the existing staff.

"We need to get someone in as soon as possible, but are not going to rush. We need to make sure we get the right guy."

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