OUTGOING Wareham Rangers boss Matt Welsh is looking to gazump Purbeck rivals Swanage with a tongue-in-cheek play for iconic manager Harry Redknapp.

Welsh, 34, has relinquished the hotseat after four successful years to spend more time with his family but will remain on the club’s committee and help select his successor.

Having secured a return to the Dorset Premier League in his first season, Welsh guided Rangers to 12th, fifth and ninth, trumping the Swans in each campaign.

Sandbanks resident Redknapp told the Mirror in 2010 that he planned to end his managerial career with a stint at Day’s Park but with Purbeck bragging rights pouched over a sustained period, Welsh reckons Wareham should move up the pecking order.

Welsh said: “I heard Harry was looking for a decent Purbeck team. We have been on top for the past three years so why not? I am a West Ham fan and would love it.

“The trouble is my jet ski has run out of petrol at the minute so I can’t get over there. It looks like our bid might fail to launch at Wareham Quay!”

Welsh does have a plan B should his raid for Redknapp prove fruitless but the club are still accepting applications for the post.

Welsh added: “We have a couple of people interested and I have spoken to one person who is involved elsewhere. He is a top bloke and personally, I think he would be ideal for it.

“If I could handpick someone, I would to have gone straight to him but he doesn’t know what he is going to do yet. He has been around a few clubs and ticks all the boxes but we will try and cast the net to get the right option.”

Prospective candidates should contact chairman Nelson Townsend on 01929 551003.