Will Rocks turn to one they know for new boss?

Michael Birmingham is one of the names linked with the Bognor job / Picture by Habibur Rahman

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Bognor chief Jack Pearce repeated his vow they won't rush into appointing a new manager and admitted: I haven't got a clue who it will be.

The Rocks are first talking to players to see which of the Ryman League promotion-winning squad will stay for the new season – and only then will they decide who they want as Jamie Howell’s replacement.

There are numerous names in the frame for the job, with former Rocks Michael Birmingham and Miles Rutherford, currently at Horndean and Chichester City respectively, thought to be among the favourites to land the role.

Former Worthing joint boss Jon Meeney and Horsham manager Dominic di Paola are others whose names have cropped up as fans and others speculate about the vacancy.

One who had been talked about but has now gone elsewhere is former Selsey and Woerthing manager Adam Hinshelwood, who has left his coaching job at Brighton to become Hastings’ new manager.

Rocks general manager Pearce said the focus at present was on talking to players.

“I’m not too bothered about appointing a manager right at the moment,” he said.

“We’re talking to players and expect that to take until the end of next week. So far that’s been quite positive and I think more will stay than will go.

“You’ll always get one or two who want to move on to a new challenge or who you think should move on. That’s what happens in football, there’s always movement of players.

“We’ve spoken to five players this week who have until Friday to say yes or no to a new deal, and the indications so far are that they’re staying.”

There’s talk of goalscoring midfielder James Fraser interesting at least one Ryman one south club that Bognor have left behind, while fans fear keeper and player of the season Dan Lincoln may be picked up by a higher-division club.