Braintree Town have begun the process of appointing a new manager.

And chairman Lee Harding has been bowled over by the high standard of applicants queuing up to take the Cressing Road hot seat.

The Iron have been talking to candidates this week, as they hunt for a replacement for Lee Patterson.

Former Bishop’s Stortford boss Martin Hayes and ex-Heybridge Swifts manager Brian Statham are among the names linked with the vacant position.

The Blue Square South outfit have received numerous applications for a wide range of coaches, including former England internationals.

However, Harding is more interested in any potential new manager’s ability to bring success back to the club.

He said: “We have in mind the sort of person that we want.

“We’ve had a lot of quality applicants, including former England internationals.

“That is an enormous compliment to us but we are mindful of the fact that some of the best players who have played at a high level of the game do not neccesarily make good managers.

“The ability to organise and direct is vital.

“We have strong characters in the dressing room and we can’t have a shrinking violet in charge of our team.”

Harding has again refused to rule out the possibility of caretaker manager Brad Quinton taking over on a permanent basis.

Quinton suffered his first defeat in temporary charge of the Iron last Saturday when they were beaten 4-0 by Bath City.

It was the popular midfielder’s first defeat, following victory over St Albans City and a draw at Havant and Waterlooville in his first two matches.

“For two and a half of the last three games, it was as if normal Braintree Town service had been resumed,” said Harding.

“We’ve been impressed with the way Brad has conducted himself.

“In Brad, we have someone who is working very hard for us.”

For more Braintree Town news, see this week's Braintree and Witham Times.