Thackley have found a willing volunteer to fill one of the two vacancies at the club but the search goes on for a replacement for Mick Lodge.

Lodge has been the public face of the club for two seasons and has worked tirelessly behind the scenes.

Following the Dennyboys’ request for a reserve-team manager, Lodge said: “We have appointed Craig Beswick but I don’t think he will be known to a lot of people because he hasn’t got much in the way of history locally.”

The appointment will please first-team boss Lee Clapham, his co-manager Dave Morgan and the backroom staff because they have been putting extra sessions in to coach the second team and oversee their games from the dugout.

Lodge has a few months until the end of the season to see out his duties but he and the club are confident that his successor will be in place before the 2014-15 campaign kicks off.

“We have had interest from a few parties but nothing is confirmed,” added Lodge.

“So for now the search goes on. One candidate has withdrawn for family reasons. He was keen but his family extended so he can no longer commit.

"Another is the mother of one of the junior players at the club. I haven’t spoken to her recently but I’ve been told she is still very interested but there are complications regarding logistics and technology.

“It has advanced over the last couple of years and anyone who comes in needs all the tools at their disposal to be able to do the job. These things are vital in this digital age.”