TIM Harris has ruled himself out of the running for the vacant managerial position at Hardenhuish although he admits he would like to get back into management if the right job came up.

The former Newport County manager has been one of the names bandied about in the last week as a possible successor to Tommy Saunders, but Harris wants to put an end to the speculation.

He said: "I haven't applied for the job and will not be either although I can understand why people would say I want the job.

"If people want to link me to the club then that is their prerogative but as far as I am concerned I will not be the next Chippenham Town manager.

"It is not a case of me not being interested but it is more a case of it being all cut and dried. I am sure if they wanted me they would have got in touch."

Harris is currently assistant manager at Forest Green Rovers in the Nationwide Conference but said he would like to become a manager again in the future.

He said: "I do want to be a manager in my own right again but obviously it depends on what comes up.

"I have made my intentions clear to Colin Addison that I am happy working alongside him for the moment but do want to move on if the right opportunity comes up.

"It was up to the Chippenham board to get in touch with me if they wanted me to apply, they haven't and so I will not be applying."

Harris, 44, is a former goalkeeper who enjoyed spells at Gloucester, Cheltenham and Redditch. He then became assistant manager at Gloucester for two seasons and Alvechurch for a season, before becoming manager of Cinderford Town in 1990.

He spent six years at Cinderford during which time the club were rapidly elevated to Southern League status and he took them into the second round of the FA Cup in 1995/96.

The latter part of the 1996/97 season saw him rejoin Gloucester City as assistant manager before he accepted the managerial post at Newport County.

Harris guided Newport to promotion to the Dr Martens Premier League in 1999 where they have remained ever since. He resigned as Newport manager at the end of the 2001/02 season.

He said: "I am very experienced at managing at Chippenham's level and also have experience in managing fluctuating budgets. But like I said before I do not see myself applying for the vacant position."

l THERE were a number of interested spectators at Hardenhuish on Wednesday night as possible contenders for the job turned up to watch Chippenham.

Former Bath City assistant manager Steve White was present along with Paulton manager Darren Perrin, ex-Salisbury boss Geoff Butler and Weston manager Frank Gregan.

Another potential replacement for Saunders is Swindon Supermarine manager Ray Baverstock, who watched Chippenham beat his present side 4-0 in the Wiltshire Premier Shield.