Andy Darnton has ruled himself out of the vacant manager's post at Bashley.

The experienced defender is keen to get into coaching and management in the future, but prefers to concentrate on playing for the time being.

Darnton, a veteran of 173 Bashley appearances, was sounded out for the manager's job back in 2001 after ex-boss Barry Blankley was sacked.

He said then that he wanted to continue playing and now, at 35, he still believes he has another couple of seasons left.

The former Newport and Fleet Town centre-back said: "It's not true that I've applied for the Bashley job. Maybe when my legs have packed up I will go into coaching or management, but I want to keep playing for the time being."

Ideally Darnton, below, would like to finish his career with Bashley, but he is out of contract and has heard nothing from the club since they parted company with manager John Robson nearly a fortnight ago.

He admitted: "I'd like to play for Bashley again next season in the Isthmian Division 1. The new league appeals to me because there's less travelling.

"There are five of us who are out of contract - myself, Mark Lisk, Mark Jones, Gareth Keeping and Stuart Cannie, but we've all been left in limbo until a new manager is appointed.

"It's a bit disappointing that I haven't even had a phone call from Bashley after being there for four and half years."

Darnton has been speaking to a couple of other clubs, explaining: "I've got to be realistic and look after my own interests, but I'd like to stay at Bashley if they still want me."

Bashley are advertising the manager's post having decided to plough ahead with a promotion push next season.

"We're still looking to go forward," confirmed director of football Derek Binns after this week's executive committee meeting. "We're working in different areas of the commercial sector and are exploring ways of getting a consortium together.

"Last season we had a good budget and we're not looking to change that."

Any candidates for the manager's job can ring Binns on 01590 642004 or secretary Pete Plowman on 01425 620280.