CHAIRMAN Lee Harding says Braintree Town could be in a position to make their next managerial appointment by this weekend.

The club is looking for their new boss after the departure of Danny Searle to Aldershot Town last week and Harding said progress on the search had been swift.

He said applications for the post had been reviewed and a shortlist drawn up so he and fellow board members were in a position to begin interviewing this week, with an announcement over who the new manager would be coming potentially as soon as this weekend.

That would tie in with the club's offer over season tickets for next year, with a special club day being held on Saturday when Early Bird discounts available for season passes for the 2019/20 campaign are set to run out.

Harding said: "We have been making some progress.

"We have gone through a number of applications and drawn up a shortlist which we have been having a chat about this week.

"There are probably four on the shortlist and we'll go through them in detail before interviewing one or two of them.

"I'm hoping it may be possible as early as Thursday to make a decision but if it's not possible then we may want to speak further.

"I have recommendations about all four and if people are good with that then we may just interview one and be able to put it to bed this week, but if we are speaking to two or three of them then it might push it back to the week after."

While the club's board want to make the right choice and not be nasty, though, the chairman was clear that they didn't want to delay the naming of a new boss.

Harding added: "We want to get our manager in place as quickly as we can as we need to start planning for pre-season training and getting players in.

"We want to get on with it as players need to know what is happening.

"That said, there are a number of ours from last year who are speaking with other clubs, but that's the nature of the beast.

“We are having to be pragmatic with our playing budget as we got relegated and we may not be able to entice all we want to stay.”

Meanwhile, for Braintree fans looking ahead to next year’s action, Early Bird season ticket deals are set to run out on Saturday.

Harding said the clubhouse would be open every evening this week for fans to take advantage of savings currently available, with a day-long club day taking place on Saturday - the last day that discounts will be available.

Work parties to spruce up areas around the Iron's Cressing Road stadium will be taking place throughout the day on Saturday, with a barbecue and pool competition also taking place from 5pm ahead of the Champions League final being shown in the clubhouse in the evening and season tickets will be on sale throughout the day.

At the moment, season tickets booked before or on Saturday will see holders receive discounts, with adults able to buy tickets allowing entry - over 21 league games - at an average cost of less than £11.50 per game.

Under the Early Bird deal, concessions can access games for less than £8 per match on average, under-18s for less than £2 and under-12s for £1 next year.

More details on season ticket prices are available at the club website at www.braintreetownfc.org.uk