Searle Says He Can Steer Fleet To Safety If He's Given The Job

The former Aldershot Town and Braintee boss applied for the job following the departure of manager Dennis Kutrieb, a decision taken after the club plunged back into the National League relegation zone at the end of January.

Seale, 45, offered to lend a hand in the interim while Fleet officials decided who would take the club forward.

Although he accepts the short-term role is a no-promises situation, he has impressed in his ten days in charge, first holding Oldham Athletic to a draw and then on Saturday doing what no manager has since August - stopping Chesterfield from winning at home.

With a decision looming, the stand-in said: “It’s not about me, the lads have been fantastic. Whatever happens, they’re good enough to stay up - they to a man were brilliant against easily the best team in the league.

“I wouldn’t have applied for the job if I didn’t think they could survive. I’m hoping the work we’ve done so far will at least give me a chance, but the club has got to do what the club has got to do - that’s what comes first, and I respect that.

“Obviously, I am going to stand here and say it should be me! I’ve made no bones about the fact that I would like the job, but we’ll see what happens next. I saw it as a fantastic opportunity and I couldn't turn it down. I just had to grab it with both hands.”

He added: “It’s a great squad of players, but it’s about building their confidence now. The boys are good enough to be playing at this level.”

PHOTO DAVID PLUM