Club chairman Kiroz Kassam is said to be closely monitering the situation after Ron Martin repeated his claims that he still wants Ian Atkins to be the next Shrimpers manager. Speaking to the Evening Echo, Martin revealed, “The situation hasn’t changed. We’re still trying to talk to Mr. Atkins and the board at
“He’s the one we want”, Martin commented, continuing, “We’ve identified him as our number one target and we haven’t set ourselves any time limit to get him”. Despite saying this, though, the club’s chief executive then declared that current caretaker duo Steve Tilson and Paul Brush would not still be in charge of the side until May, when Atkins’ contract runs out and there is the possibility that he would become available. This is despite the “good job” that the partnership are currently doing, that being the 4-0 home win over Rochdale last Saturday.
But Kassam is closely looking into the situation, checking for any irregularities that may have arisen in Blues’ approach for the 46-year-old. The businessman and chairman of the Thames Valley side is said by the Oxford Mail to be “preparing a response”, although any chance of action over the approach would yet be difficult to prove, and may be counter-productive, with the whole issue of Atkins applying for the vacant position being brought to the fore.
Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com