So who do you think should be our new manager?

[AFCRD_Dan]

I wouldn't be against Millsy being our next manager, but does he have the knowhow of the UCL?

He is a Rushden & Diamonds legend, no doubt, but I'd hate him to come in and fail.

I'm sure whoever the board decide to appoint as our new manager, will be the best man for the job.

[Scarey]

No mention yet of Joe Smyth? Knows the UCL inside out, and has been successful at this level...

[Bob's Bitch]

BR does make a valid (IMO) point about the need for UCL experience. As the league currently stands it's likely that we'll be the only club that applies for promotion next year, if so then having a manager with a lot of UCL experience and contacts will only really be of benefit for one year (presuming we don't cock-up and finish below 3rd).

Maybe we should be looking for a manager with experience of Steps 3/4 or perhaps maybe Mills etc., who have UEFA badges? With regards to "contacts", do they really matter that much? Genuine question, because surely if we wanted a player we could simply make a 7-day approach like any other club. What do contacts have to do with getting players etc.?

[Everyweeker]

I wouldn't be so confident that we will be the only club applying next year. Other rivals may not have bothered this year with Spalding around, but I would be surprised if it was only us next year.

[icm]

I wouldn't be so confident that we will be the only club applying next year. Other rivals may not have bothered this year with Spalding around, but I would be surprised if it was only us next year.

There will of course also be Oadby who I would imagine are not short of contacts and money

[Neutral]

Joe is certainly a good shout. He knows this league inside out. Great with the players as well. How about Tommy Wright and his assistant from Corby?

[Sid]

I wouldn't be so confident that we will be the only club applying next year. Other rivals may not have bothered this year with Spalding around, but I would be surprised if it was only us next year.

I'm pretty sure Deeping, Yaxley and Newport Pagnell have applied recently (probably others too), Wellingborough did a few years back, I imagine everyone else saw it as a waste of time and money this season. We must assume that only 1st place will be good enough next season. I think it would be madness to appoint anyone without extensive UCL experience.

[Bob's Bitch]

I wouldn't be so confident that we will be the only club applying next year. Other rivals may not have bothered this year with Spalding around, but I would be surprised if it was only us next year.

13/14 - Spalding, Us.
12/13 - Quorn, St Ives, Spalding, Wisbech [from ECL].
11/12 - Kings Lynn, St Ives, (unsure about who else; Deeping, NP?)
10/11 - Kings Lynn, Newport Pagnell, St Neots.
09/10 - Daventry, Newport Pagnell, St Ives, St Neots.

Here's a list of the clubs who applied in recent seasons. The only one I couldn't find on the FA website was 11/12 and the only ones who obviously applied were KL and St. Ives. Maybe Wisbech and Newport Pagnell will apply again?

[James Beil]

I think it's way too optimistic to imagine that we're the only club that wants to step up to the Southern League - Oadby will certainly be after promotion if they can hold on to their squad, and I'm not looking forward to finding out if they're genuine quality, or big fish in a small pond. Apart from them, Huntingdon could still prove a big challenge, and I still suspect that Deeping will really be in the running for the title next year - winning this league is going to be a big ask without some imports from the higher levels.

[Formic]

There will certainly be at least one serious challenger from the Fens. There is likely to be a "fall-out" from Spalding of those players who don't fancy midweek trips to Marlow or Hayes - and as they did last season they'll migrate to Holbeach, Deeping or Wisbech.