Toms turns down assistant position (From Bridport and Lyme Regis News)

Toms turns down assistant position

9:00am Thursday 25th June 2009

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PAUL Toms has declined an invitation from new Bridport boss Trevor Senior to become his right-hand-man at St Mary’s Field.

The former Bees’ skipper, who made in excess of 280 appearances during an eight-year spell, was offered first refusal on the vacant post.

Toms was primed for the same role last season before Senior’s application proved unsuccessful, but he has been forced to turn down the approach because of work commitments.

For Senior this represents the first setback of his tenure, but he did reveal there is another candidate in the running to fill the void.

Speaking to the Bridport News, Senior said: “I’m still in the process of getting someone to assist me.

“I spoke to Paul and gave him first refusal because I had lined him up when I applied for the job last year.

“He had a while to think about it but due to work commitments he said he is unable to join me.

“I’ve got someone else in mind and he’s thinking it over.”

The Bees’ supremo oversaw his first training session on Tuesday night and said he has received positive feedback from the players since taking charge.

On the transfer front Senior has been maximising his extensive contacts network, with several potential targets expressing an interest in joining him.

Although he wouldn’t be drawn into identifying names, the 47-year-old did admit that a proven goal-scorer is top of his shopping list.

The ex-Reading marksman also reiterated his wish to recruit more experienced players, who will complement the homegrown, youthful nucleus of the squad.

“I rang all the players I knew would be within touching distance and be interested in coming down,” Senior added.

“At this stage of the season it’s always a case of waiting, only one of a dozen players I have been in touch with has decided to go elsewhere.

“Some of the lads I have spoken to have been playing a league below but are capable of making the step up.

“There is a striker in particular I’d really like to get.

“I know scoring goals has been a problem so there needs to be more competition for places, which will help the whole club and strengthen the quality of the squad.

“We do need experience, which is something I’ll look at in due course, but this group of lads has been playing at this level for a couple of years now.”

Senior has already reassured reserves’ boss Mike Savage and third-team chief Steve Crabb that both their jobs are safe for next season.

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