BRAINTREE Town are in no rush to appoint their next boss.

And one of the main reasons is that they already have a ‘serious contender for the job’ – Brad Quinton – filling in as caretaker boss at Cressing Road.

Quinton (pictured) has helped the Iron to a win, draw and defeat since stepping in following the exit of former manager Lee Patterson.

He is very much in the running to take over on a permanent basis – as long as he can continue playing.

“Brad has settled things down and is working very hard behind the scenes,” Iron chairman Lee Harding told the Gazette.

“We’re mindful of the progress he’s made.

“He’s well-thought of at the club, liked by the lads and has been assistant manager for a while so he’s certainly a serious contender for the post.

“Having said that, he’s still very important to us as a player and it might be, if he were to get the job, that we bring someone else in to work alongside him as joint-manager.

“We’re really not sure at the moment but, because we’re not in a great rush, it may well be that Brad steers us through the Christmas and New Year fixtures.”

Harding added: “There’s not been an enormous amount of progress in the last few days because we don’t feel under pressure to make an appointment.

“We want to take our time to get it right.

“We’ve had a number of applications and we’re now in the region of 60 or 70.

“It’s always a compliment when people want to come to your football club and, although there are some who really aren’t suitable, there are some very good people in contention – including a former England international.

“We feel we’re well placed and we’re looking forward to a very important series of games coming up, including Saturday’s trip to Dorchester and then two hum-dingers against Bishop’s Stortford over Christmas.”

Quinton admitted he would love the chance to manage the club – but wants to prolong his playing career.

He said: “I’ve enjoyed the experience of being in temporary charge and I’m happy to help out.

“I’m halfway through my coaching badges and management is definitely something I’d like to pursue.

“I’d like to sit down with the chairman and discuss the situation.

“I still enjoy playing, though, and I wouldn’t want to lose that now.

“It’s very important and is a must, as far as I’m concerned, because you’re a long time retired.”

Braintree had no game last weekend and visit Dorchester in Blue Square South on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).