We won’t rush manager search, says Eccleshill chief (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

We won’t rush manager search, says Eccleshill chief

4:10pm Friday 2nd November 2012 in Eccleshill By Ian Whiting

The closing date for applications for head coach and player-coach passed at midnight on Wednesday so the Eagles are ready for the next stage in the process of appointing Ian Banks’ successor.

Eccleshill’s chairman of football Adrian Benson said: “We have drawn up a shortlist and the people on it will have been contacted by the time the weekend is over.

“Over the next two weeks we will be holding interviews and, if need be, we may even decide on a second interview stage.”

The club has set a timescale for the procedure but it is flexible. They hope to have a permanent man in place before mid-November but, with director of football Mark Ellis and interim coach Graham Mitchell in charge, the club is in good hands.

Benson added: “We are not in a rush as Mark and Graham are so vastly experienced and doing such a good job that we are quite happy to take our time. It is such an important decision that we have to make sure we get it right.

“Mark and I looked at the credentials of the applicants and there are some really impressive candidates so we have to give this matter due consideration. I think the high calibre of applicants says a lot about the appeal of Eccleshill United at this time.

“That is not something we could have expected just a few seasons ago so we feel we are on the right track and doing things the proper way.”