Reports from Christchurch Meadow have pretty much confirmed Martin Rowe has left Belper Town by "mutual consent", an announcement will be made tomorrow as regards to the new manager, everything is very much tight-lipped...

Main Contenders for the job

Favourite is probably Barry Horne who is known for wanting to get on the first rung of the managerial ladder after applying for the Wrexham job, but Denis Smith got it. Knows the players, is vastly experienced with 500+ appearances in the league behind him, an FA Cup winners medal and 59 international caps, some as captain, would be the most popular choice amongst fans. Inexperienced as a manager, but has the "not what you know it's who you know" factor. However the fact he doesn't live local is a problem.

Andy Garner - Whether or not he will want to jump from Assistant at the Unibond's top club to gaffer at the Unibond first's bottom club is another matter, but it is known he wants to get into management, and did a respectable job as Burton's caretaker boss. Would be a popular choice with the fans.

Gary Marrow - Local bloke, has been known to want to manage the Nailers at one time. However wouldn't be a popular choice with the fans, ex-Matlock gaffer and tends to play "hoof-ball" tactics. But the Nailers do have to be more direct, so it could work out.

John Ramshaw - An outsider, and wouldn't be a popular choice with supporters.

Andy Carter and Steve Hamilton - Youth team bosses who have admirably taken last season's Under 19's championship side into reserve team football with little hitches in the transition. Again, outsiders who have no experience at Unibond first level, but eventually will do.

Rank Outsiders include - Graham Reiter (current assistant) 125/1 Dean Saunders 150/1, Craig Smithurst 250/1, Andy Quy 1000/1)

Pros of being a Belper maanager - Talented squad who really shouldn't be in the position they are in, friendly club, positive future with good youngsters coming through and still a fairly positive mood in the club despite a negative season.

Cons of being Belper manager - Holding on to the talented players, Gummer, Cunningham, Quy, Morgan will leave if we go down. Impatient fans who do not like long-ball football, holding onto youngsters and bringing them through, league position, not a massive transfer kitty, will be collared straight away by me to do an interview for the fanzine.

Stop laughing Matlock, it's happened to you, and it will happen again

What makes you think Gary will want to leave Frickley? He's building a decent squad with us and better things are expected next season.

Gary Marrow isn't manager of Belper Town, although one has been appointed and it is a complete surprise...

So who is it then?

Midfielder Craig Weston will take temporary charge until the end of the season, which I think is a great decision to have someone from inside the club who knows the players... time will tell though. People will moan at the lack of ambition at the appointment, but getting a new face in at this stage could have rocked the already unsteady boat.

I think he is under a player-manager title as he is still a registered Nailers player but will be concentrating on management rather than playing.