Pinchbeck United chairman Gary Coomes hopes to have a new manager in place for Wednesday night’s (September 2) Emirates FA Cup clash with St Neots Town.
The Extra Preliminary Round clash at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field (7.45pm) is the Knights’ first competitive game of the new season, with up to 150 fans expected to be able to attend.
Coomes, who also expects to be able to announce a number of new signings this week, wants Ian Dunn’s successor to buy into Pinchbeck’s family ethos.
He insists that he doesn’t want the new chief to be screaming and shouting on the sideline, instead preferring the idea of a more relaxed environment at the club.
“We’re not like most UCL clubs,” said Coomes. “We’ve not been in the league long and still retain that family feel.
“When Ian (Dunn) left, it was like losing a member of the family and it has taken a while for us to get over it really.
“Finding a manager is obviously vitally important and, ideally, we’ll have somebody in place for the FA Cup game.
“We’ve had a few people contact us and it’s a case of weighing up what is best. We don’t really want a screamer and shouter, I’d rather somebody came in and bought into what we’re about.
“We had a tough time last year. The club struggled financially and didn’t really have an infrastructure in place for the level, if I’m honest.
“We’re on sound footing financially this season and already have a few sponsors on board. We’re also looking at improving things with the newly-formed Reserves and under-18s.
“If we can look to get under-16s and under-14s under our banner, we’ll also be able to create a pathway to the first team for local lads.
“There’s a good group here and we hope to announce a few new signings this week. If we can get a new boss to use his contacts and add a few fresh faces to our current crop, I’d be very happy.”
Pinchbeck, who fielded an experimental side in Saturday’s 6-0 defeat against Uhlsport United Counties League rivals Peterborough Northern Star, lost 2-1 to Holbeach United in the Lincolnshire Free Press Trophy on Wednesday.
They will also face Bourne Town in the third/fourth placed play-off at the Sir Halley on Saturday (3pm) before getting the competitive action rolling.
Coomes admits that the Knights will be major underdogs for the FA Cup clash against step four opponents St Neots, but says all at the club are relishing the test.
“We’ve never won a game in an FA competition, so that’s always the target for us,” added the chairman. “St Neots is obviously a very tough draw and we know we’re massive underdogs.
“We’ve done quite well against the step four teams we’ve faced over pre-season, though, so we know we’ve got every chance.
“I’m not expecting us to be down at the bottom of the table this season, I feel that mid-table is the target. So a strong showing in the FA Cup will be the best possible warm-up for the start of the league the following weekend.”
After the St Neots game, the Knights start their league campaign with a home test against much-fancied Rugby Town on September 5 (3pm).
