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Friday, April 29, 2011, 07:00
BOSTON UNITED plan to have their next permanent manager installed almost immediately after their play-off campaign, chairman David Newton has confirmed.
The closing date for applications is today after Newton vowed to "go to the market" in his search for the Pilgrims' next boss or bosses.
The United supremo says current caretaker coaches Jason Lee and Lee Canoville are firmly in the frame to succeed Rob Scott and Paul Hurst on a long-term basis.
Lee and Canoville's hopes are not dependent on whether they guide Boston to promotion to the Blue Square Bet Premier.
But with the entire squad out of contract in the summer, a busy close season beckons and Newton wants a new management team in place as soon as possible.
"We are following the route we planned from the outset," said Newton, who wants a manager with previous non-league experience.
"We wanted someone to look after the team until the end of the season and Jason and Lee have done that very well.
"They are obviously well in the frame for the job. But we will go to the market because we want the best possible management team for Boston United.
"They (Lee and Canoville) know that and they knew we were going to advertise the position.
"We don't want a big gap (between the end of the season and the appointment) because we've got a quite a lot of work to do in the close season as all the players are out of contract.
"There might be one or two changes, depending on who comes in, so we want to give ourselves plenty of time to sort that out."
Newton is in confident mood ahead of Boston's Blue Square Bet North play-off campaign, which begins next Tuesday with a semi-final first leg at either Nuneaton Town or Guiseley.
The Pilgrims are almost certain to finish third in the table regardless of tomorrow's result against Vauxhall Motors at York Street.
Newton believes the experience of winning promotion via the UniBond League play-offs last season will stand United in good stead.
"We are confident because we've been there and done it," he added.
"We put in a good performance against Nuneaton (on Monday).
"We have beaten Telford, we've beaten Alfreton so we know we can do it.
"It's about who handles the nerves on the day and who wants it that bit more.
"We are not over-confident, but you have got to go into it confidently after the season we've had.
"We've got a squad that never gives up. We've showed we've got the character for it."
Meanwhile, Canoville insists his side fear none of their play-off rivals – Telford, Nuneaton and Guiseley.
Provided their two-legged semi-final is negotiated, a final at Telford possibly lies in wait.
"Whoever you face in the play-offs, it's going to be tight. No one is going to hammer anyone," said the player-coach.
"Whoever we get, we will be happy and look to progress.
"It is that time of the season when you get a bit heavy-legged.
"But there's that much riding on it that adrenalin will take you through.
"I don't think we are too bothered whether we are home or away because we are pretty strong away from home too.
"It's two games and the best side over the two games will go through. We are confident we can win."
First, Boston must compete their regular season against mid-table Vauxhall.
Canoville insists he and Lee will have no problem motivating their players for what is essentially a dead-rubber.
"We will definitely be up for it because there's the game on Tuesday and places to fight for," said the club skipper.
"We will be looking to win the game with whatever 11 we have out. We will have to see who we have available."
Defender Shaun Pearson could be available following his back injury, but with the play-offs in mind, he may not be risked.
