Ian Phillips has emerged as a front runner to take over as manager at Clacton Town.

Former Colchester United star Phillips has had preliminary talks with owner Jeff Dewing and vice-chairman Colin Harris and another meeting is imminent.

Phillips said: "I will listen to what they have to say and decide if it is the right move for me and my family."

Clacton's owner Jeff Dewing said: "I have had a conversation with Ian Phillips and we will be talking to him again in the near future about whether there would be role for him at Clacton.

"Whether that would be as manager or not has not been discussed. But that doesn't mean we are about to change managers.

"We are not looking to replace the management at this point in time. But that doesn't rule out possible changes in the future."

The news came as a shock to existing manager Nick Nicolaou.

Nicolaou, along with player-coach John Kemp, handed Clacton the Jewson Division One Championship after assistant manager Terry Quinn left in February in a row over selection policy.

Nicolaou said: "This is all news to me. The club have not spoken to me about it. I would have thought they would have been happy with what we have done. We said we would win promotion and we have done that, winning the title is a bonus.

"We are in a cup final on Monday and no-one expected us to reach the last 32 of the FA Vase and the semis of the Essex Senior Cup and the Jewson League Cup.

"The proof is in the pudding and if they want us here next year I'm sure they will say. Whatever will be will be.

Clacton have approached at least three other people about taking over as manager. But, after a couple of rejections, they have plumbed for the former Colchester United double winner Phillips who is believed to be interested in linking up with Mick Potter.

Potter has led Gas Recreation to a record four Border League titles among a display case full of silverware.

Potter said: "There is something afoot but I don't want to say too much at the moment."

Steve Dowman told Clacton he would not be interested for personal reasons with another mouth-watering job in prospect for the former U's centre-half.

Other names bandied around recently include Heybridge Swifts' Tony English and Ben Embery. The Maldon manager said: "I have signed another year's contract with Maldon.

"Anyone interested in me would have to do the right thing and contact the club and take things from there."

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.