CALNE assistant manager Simon Hillier has not ruled out applying for the top job as he tries to keep a squad in limbo happy.

Hillier arrived back from his honeymoon on Sunday to a team without direction after last year's successful manager, Kelvin Highmore, sitched to Melksham Town last week.

Hillier said he knew Highmore was in negotiations with the Screwfix Premier outfit and was about to leave, but turned down the opportunity to join him at The Conigre when he was asked.

He said: "I am not going to leave Calne. I live a stones throw away and have too many connections and too much loyalty to the club.

"I was obviously disappointed that Kelvin made the decision to go but he had his reasons and I respect that.

"I would have liked to have come back next season and continued with the same set up but that's not to be."

Hillier is seen as an integral part of the furniture at Calne and could be one of the key figures in keeping much of the squad together.

He said he would be foolish to rule out the possibility of managing the Lily Whites.

"I am a mortgage broker and five days a week I am going all over the country and could find it difficult to get to training or midweek games.

"I had a long chat with the chairman and he asked me to stay but depending on the interest and if someone else comes in I may be surplus to requirements. Ideally I want to stay at Calne in some capacity.

"I have had discussions with a lot of the players and they are in limbo at the moment as well.

"I'm sure Kelvin would like to take some with him but there's a number that know we have good team spirit and want to stay together.

"It is a decision that will need to be made quickly as the season is not far away."

Applicants for the Calne job should call the club secretary on (01249) 819186.