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Dan Neville

DAN Neville is believed to be a leading contender to succeed James Wood as manager of Bournemouth Poppies.

Sources close to the Echo claim the New Milton Town defender could be the man to end the Victoria Park club's month-long search for a new boss.

For the time being, however, Poppies still appear to be managerless, with the Sydenhams Wessex League outfit still yet to make an official announcement on the vacancy.

With the start of the Premier Division season just days away, the town's oldest football club, which was established in 1875 as a founder member of the Football Association, look set for an uphill battle to build a competitive squad.

Since Wood's resignation more than a month ago, virtually the entire first team squad from last season have left the club, with Hamworthy United, Christ-church, Poole Town and Brocken-hurst the main beneficiaries.

Ollie Cherrett, Max Crow, Mark Dancer, Tim Constable, Rich McCabe (all Hamworthy), Mark Smith, Gareth Barnes, Steve Strong (all Christchurch), Lamin Dibba, Leigh Phillips (both Poole) and Tom Jeffes (Brockenhurst) have followed Wood through the exit door, with rumours suggesting keeper Stuart Kearn and midfielder Scorr Sanderson are also on the verge of joining rival clubs.

The squad put together by Wood last term proved highly successful, as they recorded a long unbeaten run en route to challenging for the top-flight title.

But with the likes of Hamworthy, Brockenhurst and Christchurch looking stronger this time round, a place in lower mid-table looks far more likely, given the major upheaval during close-season.

When contacted by the Daily Echo yesterday, Poppies chairman Bob Corbin declined the opportunity to comment on the situation.

8:00pm Monday 4th August 2008

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