Stokesley are hoping to appoint a new manager soon as they start a rebuilding job at Broughton Road.

The first division side achieved their highest ever league position when they finished 16th in the season just ended, but then manager Ted Watts quit, with several players following him out of the door.

There have been rumours circulating that the club is going to quit the league, but new secretary Peter Grainge said: “There’s no chance of that happening.

“We’re in the process of appointing a new manager, with four people applying for the job. Hopefully, when the new manager is appointed, he’ll be able to bring some players in. We already run several teams in our football section that compete in the Teesside League and Cleveland League, and if necessary, we’ll bring players in from there. We want to try and stay in the first division, and we certainly don’t think we’ll be another Ryton.”

Of the four managers who are interested in the job, three have Northern League experience.

Meanwhile, the club has changed back to its original name of Stokesley Sports Club.