Yeltz hours from naming new boss (From Dudley News)

Yeltz hours from naming new boss

9:30am Thursday 27th September 2012 in Sport

EXPECTATIONS are rising as Halesowen Town prepare to name their new manager later today.

A four-man panel of owner Steve Lynch, chairman Colin Brookes, vice-chairman John Russell and secretary Andrew While have spent the past two evenings meeting with candidates. An announcement on the new manager is expected around lunchtime.

Those interviewed are thought to include former Yeltz players John Snape, Lee Williams and Richard Colwell — the latter of whom was recently appointed boss of Causeway United.

Gornal Athletic’s Ian Rowe, Tividale’s Dean Whitehouse and former Tipton Town chief John Hill are also thought to be in the running.

Brookes, who has been caretaker boss since the resignation of Shaun Cunnington on September 11, said: “All the people we are interviewing are local, none of them live more than 10 miles from the ground.

“We feel the best way forward is with a manager who knows the area well. We had 21 applications in total, some from as far away as Skipton, which we’ve whittled down.

“With the club obviously operating on a budget we are going to rely on local talent and we need someone with great contacts.”

Brookes is likely to remain in charge for Saturday’s game, where he will look to complete an unbeaten caretaker tenure.

The Yeltz fought back from two down to draw 2-2 at Brigg Town on Saturday and a late Jean-Michel Gueyes strike earned them a 1-0 win at Romulus on Monday night.

Brookes was full of praise for physio Pete Denham and skipper Neil Barnfield, who have both assisted him during his brief tenure.

He said: “When Steve asked me to take over as caretaker I wanted two people in the dressing room who I could trust and who would be able to take training, as I can’t run about like I used to.

“Pete is very well respected while Neil is looked up to as a leader.

“We’ve had a fantastic response from the players.”

He added: “We defended very well at Romulus and we had to.

“They will feel they should have won but sometimes you gets wins like that away from home where you just have to get back on the bus and say thanks.”

Striker Ben Haseley is a doubt for Saturday’s game after going off with a hamstring injury at Brigg. Ben Steane, who went off on Monday with a knee problem, is expected to return.

l For the latest on the managerial hunt at the Grove visit halesowennews.co.uk