Terras' shortlist cut to three (From Dorset Echo)

Terras' shortlist cut to three

9:18am Monday 25th January 2010 in Club News By Derek Bish

NARROWING HIS SEARCH: Weymouth chairman George Rolls

A SHORTLIST of three impressive candidates remain in line for the Weymouth manager’s job from more than 50 applications.

An ex-international and an ex-Premier League player are on the shortlist, as well as someone who has been assistant-manager at a club in League One and Two and a caretaker-manager in League One for half a season.

Terras’ chairman George Rolls spoke with two of them on the telephone on Saturday night – both of whom were at Saturday’s defeat at Worcester City – and was due to talk to the third candidate last night or today, with an appointment expected in the early part of this week.

“I spoke to two of them on Saturday night and will be speaking to another one,” said Rolls. “I hope to make an appointment today or Tuesday.”

Two of the three candidates have played at the highest level – one of them internationally – while one of the three candidates is also currently involved at a Premier League club.

“We have some good candidates,” said Rolls. “All three offer something different and a lot will come down to the next steps when we start talking finances with them.

“They may think we need X, Y and Z and they can’t work with the budgets we want to pay, but I don’t think that will be the case.”

Rolls is happy with how his first three months have gone off the pitch but also expressed his disappointment following the 3-1 defeat at Worcester City on Saturday.

Towards the end of the game, the strong travelling support of around 60 broke into song about ex-boss Ian Hutchinson, who was controversially sacked eight days ago, and sang ‘walking in a Hutchie wonderland’.

“We are really pleased with what’s going on off the pitch,” said Rolls. “On the pitch it’s a little bit more problematic and the fans have made their feelings known about Ian Hutchinson.

“One thing I would like to say is Ian as a man as really gone up in my estimation because he has handled himself so professionally over the last week.

“It’s clear to me he is Weymouth through and through and has to be commended.

“One day he may be a manager again elsewhere and maybe even back here at the Wessex.”

Regarding the fans, he added: “It was great to see so many Weymouth supporters making the trip and get behind the team.

“I think the fans who have spoken to me understand me now but you are always going to get a few who only turn up on a Saturday and vent their feelings, which they are entitled to do.

“They still believe Ian Hutchinson should be in charge and I have no problem with them doing that.

“It doesn’t help the team when they are 3-1 down but if they pay and follow the club then they can say and do what they feel is right for Weymouth Football Club.

“A lot of supporters have spoken to me individually and to my face they say they agree with what I am doing.”