KIDDERMINSTER Harriers' board today began whittling down more than 20 applicants to "six of the best" as Jimmy Quinn became the first candidate to publicly declare his interest in the manager's job.

Chairman Barry Norgrove and directors Neil Savery, John Baldwin and Wayne Allen will sift through a series of CVs and shortlist half a dozen possibles at a board meeting this afternoon.

Fellow board member Gordon Howard, who must remain in America because of family problems, will also play a part in the selection process via a Conference call to the Aggborough boardroom.

Their first meeting to discuss the contenders to succeed sacked Stuart Watkiss comes after former Northern Ireland international striker Quinn went on the record to declare his interest in the job.

Quinn, who helped Shrewsbury straight back into the Football League during his first season in charge, told the Shuttle/Times & News that the prospect of managing Harriers did appeal to him.

"It's something I would be interested in and I will be making inquiries but I don't want to say any more than that," said Quinn, who also has an offer on the table to coach in Norway.

The 46-year-old took Reading to within minutes of the Premiership when he was player-manager during their play-off final defeat to Bolton in 1995 and has also managed Swindon. As well as his promotion through the play-offs with Shrewsbury, he also worked with a restrcited budget when he managed part-timers Northwich Victoria in the Confernce.

Harriers' board placed job adverts in several local and national publications last weekend and have been pleasantly surprised with the response.

"There's been a good selection and we've had more than 20 applications," revealed Norgrove.

"There's quite a variety. Some are managers, some assistant managers and some player coaches.

"There's some good quality ones and some that are not too good.

"We're in a similar position to last year with it all but now we're in the Conference rather than the League and some of the applications reflect that.

"We'll go through them all as a board and hopefully we'll be in a position to choose six of the best and start interviewing next week."

Carlton Palmer, Ray Graydon, Chris Nichol, Kenny Hibbert and Kevan Broadhurst are all believed to be interested in the job, while Stafford's Phil Robinson and Tamworth's Mark Cooper could have the credentials Harriers are looking for.

Meanwhile, Martin O'Connor has agreed to continue in caretaker charge and has yet to decide whether he wants to apply for the job.

l Harriers' new boss will have the best part of a thousand pounds to spend on a loan signing thanks to the fund-raising efforts of fans' groups the 250-Club and KHIST.

A race night organised by the groups pulled in £1,100, a small amount of which will be go towards the youth team with the majority earmarked for first team reinforcements.

l Stuart stays silent

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