INTERIM boss Danny Saxby is urging Verwood Town to make a permanent managerial appointment as soon as possible – or risk an exodus of players.

Saxby, a coach under long-serving predecessor Adie Arnold, has agreed to hold the fort until Potters find a suitable replacement for the most successful manager in the club’s history.

But having taken charge of Town’s past two matches, the revered former Wimborne and Poppies player ruled out any possibility of taking over and called on the committee at Potterne Park to act quickly.

Saxby told the Daily Echo: “I’m doing it as a favour which isn’t a problem, but there is no way I can commit to it and it is not something I am looking to do.

“It needs sorting sooner rather than later. The danger, if the club hangs around too long, is that players might walk away. For the sake of the lads I hope they get someone soon because the club needs stability.”

Chairman Steve Jefferis revealed he had interviewed “a few candidates” and would see “one or two more before making a decision”.

Saxby takes charge of his third match when Verwood host reigning Wessex League champions Blackfield & Langley tomorrow (7.45pm). His son, Nathan Saxby, and Ross Hampton-Brown return to the squad.

Potters: (from) Lynch, Evans, Murray, Molyneaux, Gajic, Foster, M Speechley-Price, Dyer, Joy, Rutten, Lovell, L Speechley-Price, Guthrie, Hill, Saxby, Kimber, Hampton-Brown.

  • Meanwhile, struggling Christchurch have appointed senior squad members Mark Smith and Gareth Barnes as player-coaches.

Boss Michael Cuffie said: “Both lads have a wealth of knowledge to pass on to what is a very young group of players. That is the direction we have to move in.”

Bob Sullivan’s role as assistant manager remains unchanged at Priory who will look to end a 13-match winless league run against relegation-threatened Fawley at Hurn Bridge tomorrow (7.45pm).

Priory: (from) Field, Biles, Head, Baker, Carter, Clark, Cullen, Fairbrother, Proudley, Saul, Hanratty, Landers, Morgan, Speers, Barnes, Donachy, Steer.