CALNE chairman Steve Walker said the future looks rosier after receiving the first applications for the Bremhill View hot seat.

Walker said two people have applied for the job adding that the financial situation was not as black as has been painted.

He said: "There is a committee meeting tonight and we will discuss those people who have applied then.

"We will then give it a week because we all want this situation sorted out. Anybody who wants to apply needs to keep their skates on.

"We want a new manager soon so they can start team building."

The manager's position became vacant last week when Kelvin Highmore walked out to local Premier Division rivals Melksham Town.

Walker said he was disappointed at the time and was still concerned about players following Highmore to The Conigre but he was pleased to announce assistant manager Simon Hillier is to stay at the club.

"Genuinely I am more optimistic as things are not as bad as they seemed and the budget is not as small as people think.

"Those who have applied certainly think it is workable," said Walker.

People currently being tipped to take over are former Devizes manager and Melksham assistant Paul Tripp and Veteran Calne player Rob Lardner.