GRAHAM Speechley-Price has stood down as manager of Bashley with former reserve team boss Martin Spiers taking his place on an interim basis.

The club announced last night that Speechley-Price would be helping chairman and wife Angela Speechley-Price by shifting his focus to commercial matters at Bashley Road.

Spiers initially took up to first-team duties after co-manager Andy Darnton quit, describing as “untenable” his position having been told that Bash had started looking for a manager who could bring “finance and players” to the club.

Bash are still inviting applications for their managerial vacancy.

The statement from Angela Speechley-Price on the club’s official website read: “We spoke as a committee and then with Graham and he agreed that if we found somebody who could advance the club he would then step aside.

“The club’s priority is to maximise its financial opportunities which I am unable to do with all the other duties I am attending to currently.

“Graham has friends who cannot help individually but if he co-ordinates them by doing the running round we can progress other areas not currently being addressed.

“Martin will be able to call on Graham if the need arises but will take complete control of team matters until a full-time manager is appointed.”

Bashley also announced that Steve Jones would be taking up the position of club treasurer.