DORCHESTER Town interim manager Trevor Senior admitted the manager’s hot-seat is a job he has “always been interested in” after former boss Craig Laird resigned on Tuesday night.

Laird, who counts spells at Bridgwater Town, Yate Town and Weston-super-Mare on his managerial CV, stepped down citing “increased work commitments” in his main employment.

His resignation came just a day after the Magpies lost 3-0 at home to arch-rivals Weymouth in the Ridgeway derby.

Senior, a prolific former Reading striker, has previous managerial experience at Weymouth, Bridport, Bridgwater and Bashley, in addition to his recent tenure at Dorchester Town as Laird’s assistant.

But the interim boss told Echosport his immediate focus is on the FA Cup first qualifying round tie at AFC Portchester.

“I’m going to concentrate on this first game. Results will make a difference, that’s what it’s all about. We’re not getting them at the moment and we’ll focus on that for Saturday.

“It’s well-documented that it’s a job that I’ve always been interested in. I have to say I enjoyed the role as number two. I feel that I have quite a bit to offer the club behind the scenes as well.

“My main aim was to come in and help Craig, and I’ve enjoyed doing that. The main job wasn’t on my mind at all, I was just there to support Craig.

“With regards to the football club, it’s a big game on Saturday and that’s what we’re all going to focus on,” he said.

Meanwhile, Magpies’ chairman Matt Lucas has wished departing manager Laird “well for the future” after the former boss resigned on Tuesday night.

And Lucas wished to place on record his gratitude to the former manager for the work undertaken during his tenure.

He told Echosport: “As a club, we thank Craig for his efforts. We obviously wish him well in the future in whatever that may be.

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“We have had some tough games and obviously he was involved with the club for quite a bit of time.”

Lucas speedily instated Trevor Senior and Stuart Heath as Laird’s interim replacements, a decision he admitted was made with Saturday’s game at AFC Portchester in mind.

He said: “I think first and foremost we have certainly thought about what we need to do with Saturday’s game in mind.

“It was important for us to move quickly in regards to an interim appointment. We feel it’s important with the fact that the players know Trevor and Stuart.

“We felt it was important to give us the best possible chance and it’s important that we settle things down as quickly as we can with regards to Saturday.

“Trevor’s been at the club this season and been involved with the players for a long time, and we do feel that he was the right appointment at this time with Saturday in mind.”