Ballinamallard United hope to have a new manager in position in less than a week, with club chairman Tom Elliott pleased at the quality of the applications for the managerial position vacated by Tommy Canning last week.

Canning’s surprise resignation, just two weeks before the players return for pre-season, sparked a quick search for his successor with the club advertising last Friday for the first team manager/head coach position.

The deadline for applications passed on Monday evening, with the chairman expressing his delight at the quality and quantity of the response.

“We have a number of interested individuals, and we have some with exceedingly impressive CVs,” he said.

“There is a couple with significant experience and I am very pleased with what has come forward. I would like to have an appointment made by the beginning of next week.”

Canning’s assistant manager Mark Stafford was the initial favourite for the position, and although the club have made the decision to advertise externally, Elliott admitted that the appointment of the former club captain is still a possibility.

The chairman acknowledged that the absence of a manager has temporarily stalled the club’s transfer activity.

Prior to Canning’s departure, they had announced the signings of Fivemiletown defender Nathan Sherry and the return of winger Jamie Dunne after he left in the January transfer window to join Institute. 

But further new names are unlikely to be added until the new manager is confirmed.

Until the top position is filled, Stafford has been continuing to speak to the existing players about next season.

“Mark is doing his bit and having discussions with players to make sure none of them goes offside,” explained Elliott.

“They would all have good confidence in Mark and he is helping fill that gap at the moment.”

Whoever takes over at Ballinamallard they will know just what they are preparing for as the NIFL Championship fixtures for the 2024/25 season are to be released on Wednesday morning at 10am.