STEVE Parry was set for a sensational return to non-league football today as the new boss of North Western Trains League side Clitheroe.

Blues chairman Steve Rush confirmed an appointment was imminent but remained tight-lipped about the identity of the new incumbent.

But impeccable sources close to the club have told me that that man is Parry.

It marks a dramatic comeback for the former Haslingden player-manager whose old club went out of business at the end of last season.

Speaking yesterday Parry said: "I was interviewed for the job on Tuesday night and at this moment in time I don't know any more than that.

"I hope I do get the nod because it's a great set-up down there. The ground and facilities are among the best in the league and the side isn't that far away after what I saw on Wednesday against Ramsbottom.

"The players are just suffering a bit from a lack of confidence.

"But it would be a great opportunity if I got it."

The Football Committee at Shawbridge had received 15 applications for one of the most coveted jobs in the NWTFL.

A short-list of three was drawn up and after interviewing the final candidates, the decision was made to appoint Parry, as I understand it.

Chairman Steve Rush said: "Steve Parry is just one of a batch of names I have heard being linked with the job.

"I am hopeful that we will be in position to appoint someone soon but at this stage I am not prepared to say who.

"It has taken us two weeks to sort things out, which isn't particularly long, but it's not that quick either."

Parry has been playing for a side in the Manchester League since Haslingden folded at the end of last season.

But he will link up with some familiar faces at Shawbridge as former Haslingden players Dave Gardiner, Gary Rishton, Jon Parrott, Andy Rouine and Darren Norman all moved there in the summer. He has a hard act to follow after the previous managerial team of Denis Underwood and Gary Butcher led the club to runners-up spot in the league, and a dream trip to Wembley during their five-year reign.

"We are trying to put that behind us now," said Rush.

"We just felt the club needed a new direction.

"Obviously it was a big shock and a disappointment to both of them.

"Denis has also been a very long-standing friend of mine which made it even more difficult.

"He's spent 20 years at the club which is a long time. However the decision needed to be made and there is no one person bigger than Clitheroe Football Club.

"I want to thank them for their efforts and wish them every success for the future."

Caretaker boss John Hosty is expected to remain in charge for tomorrow's trip to St Helens Town where Dave Gardiner will return to the squad which was beaten by Ramsbottom in midweek.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.