ADIE Burford has begun his reign as Andover caretaker boss by transfer-listing two players he believes contributed to the resignation of predecessor Brian Le Boutillier.

Defender Darren Harding and midfielder Carl Jones have failed to live up to expectations after following Le Boutillier across from his old club Bemerton.

"I'm disappointed in the pair of them. Darren had a few problems in any case and left football for a month and Carl just lost interest, which I think resulted in Brian's downfall," said Burford, who has already released midfielder Paul Gulliver.

"They're good players but their heart's not in Andover and, as a former Andover player myself, I only want people here who want to play for the club."

With three players on their way, Lions have replaced them with a trio of servicemen, two of whom - Terry Lynch and Richard Pratley - have already played for the club. The third, Neil Riley, was with Burford at Dave Coleman AFC.

Andover runs in the Burford family blood. Dad Mick was a club institution, while Adie played 250 games for the Lions back in their Southern League days, having made his debut at 15.

He laughed: "My dad's not interested any more. He's tour manager now for my nephews' rock band, Sion, and drives them all over the place. These days he leaves the football to me. I was never the best player but I always gave 110 per cent and that's all I'll ask of the team.

"I'm more of a coach than a manager, but Brian was a good manager and I'll use the things he taught me. I know some good people in the game like Joe Roach, head of youth at Bournemouth."

Although Le Boutillier's departure has sparked interest from some would-be successors, Burford is staying put for at least three months.

He confirmed: "They've told me to take it for the rest of the season, but they're going to review the situation at the end of February. I'd like to have a crack at it. I know the players well and I believe they'll respond."

Between spells at Andover, Burford spent one season at Downton and four as manager of Broughton before coaching at Dave Coleman AFC.

He said: "Even when I wasn't with Andover, their result was always one of the first I'd look for. This team's got great potential. Vinny Rusher's in a different league to the average Wessex player and Justin Bennett's one of the best, young strikers around."

Bennett's dad, Russell, an Army man and former semi-pro footballer, has joined the club as a coach.

Andover have a Hampshire Senior Cup date at Liss Athletic tomorrow and Burford said: "If we stay together and work hard there's no reason we can't go on and win it."