Stourport Swifts chairman Chris Reynolds hopes to unveil the club’s new manager on Thursday.

Paul “Ocker” Davies’ shock resignation this week has prompted another search for a manager at Walshes Meadow – and Reynolds believes he is close to appointing the new man.

Davies stepped down in the wake of this week’s dismal defeat to Rothwell, citing work commitments and an inability to give the job 100 per cent.

Reynolds reluctantly accepted his resignation on Thursday and has already begun planning for life under the new man.

“I can’t say I’m not disappointed about Ocker’s decision but it is not an easy job to do. I think he enjoyed the coaching side of things but the man management wasn’t easy for him,” he said.

“I think he has big commitments at work to fulfill and he felt he wasn’t able to give the club everything. I’ve got a lot of time for Ocker and I’d like to place my thanks on record to him.”

Mark Wolsey will take over on a caretaker basis but Reynolds has pin-pointed an experienced boss to take over – and hopes to announce it to the squad later this week.

“We’ve had a few enquiries as soon as word got out but I have got someone in mind – he’s an experienced manager who is fairly well-known in the non-league scene,” he said.

“I would hope to announce it at training on Thursday if everything goes to plan – but it isn’t 100 per cent yet.”

Meanwhile, Reynolds has appealed to the local community to back the club after just 35 people turned up for their midweek clash with fellow strugglers Rothwell. 

That gate barely compares to league rivals Stourbridge and Leamington, who regularly draw crowds of over 200 to their games – and the Swifts supremo is asking for more support from the town.

“The problem is the same one that every club in the football pyramid has – if you’re not winning and not playing good football then the people won’t come in.”