RUMOURS linking Bashley boss John Robson with the manager's job at Gosport Borough are well wide of the mark, according to the Privett Park top brass.

Chairman John Stimpson is growing increasingly niggled that speculation on who will succeed Mick Marsh at the helm of the Wessex League club refuses to go away.

Marsh revealed publicly last month that he plans to pack up managing at the end of next season, sell his business and move to Spain with wife Patsy.

The non-League grapevine has been buzzing with talk that Robson, who once worked with Stimpson at Petersfield, is being lined up as Marsh's replacement, but the Borough chairman stressed: "These reports are totally untrue and are unsettling players and everyone at Gosport Borough."

He clarified in a formal statement: "Mick Marsh has advised me that he may retire as manager at the end of 2004/5.

"If Mick decides during next season to confirm his intention to stand down at the end of that season, at the appropriate time the club will decide who should succeed him - and Mick's recommendations will have a strong bearing on the club's final decision.

"The present time is far too early to be even thinking about this and neither I nor any other member of the club has approached any prospective candidates to replace Mick.

"Mick is still our manager and he and his management team will remain so throughout next season and beyond if he wishes.

"It is far too early to be talking about a replacement when we have one of the best and most respected managers at our level in place until the end of next season - and a season is a long time in football."

With regard to the Robson rumours, the statement continued: "Whilst I am an admirer of John's coaching and management abilities, having worked with him at a previous club, I categorically state that I have not spoken to John nor anyone else about the job of manager or coach - nor do I intend to in the foreseeable future.

"When, and only when, Mick Marsh finally confirms to me his intention to stand down and the club is absolutely sure it cannot persuade him to stay, will I, my fellow officers and committee take appropriate action."