HOLKER Old Boys are seeking FA Vase success and a new manager this weekend as they prepare to host Stockton Town.

The Stags are without a boss after Scott Redhead took up the option to become assistant to former Barrow AFC midfielder Matt Henney at Gretna.

Henney and Redhead took their first training session with the Lowland League club on Wednesday night, with Sean Mellen and Glyn Dixon now in caretaker charge at Rakesmoor Lane.

Mellen and Dixon oversaw a 1-0 win against AFC Blackpool on Tuesday night, with Chris Wraighte scoring the only goal. Wraighte has been offered the chance to move to Gretna with Redhead, though he has not taken it up yet and will be available for the match-up with Northern League Stockton tomorrow.

Millomite Redhead, who took over at Holker in November last year, admits it was a hard decision to leave Old Boys, but said ahead of his new club's Scottish Cup tie with Highland League leaders Buckie Thistle: “I've worked with Matt before at Penrith and this was an offer I couldn't turn down.

“Matt was given the job and asked me to go up. They've had a good start to the season, but tailed off and are currently around mid-table.

“It wasn't an easy decision to leave Holker. I enjoyed my time there and I did see it as a longer-term project. This season, I had brought four or five players in who I wanted.

“We'd started off all right, hit a bad spell, and then we have been a bit hit-and-miss. I still think that squad is probably one of the best Holker have had for many a year and the potential is there for them to get promoted – it's about them believing in that and putting in the performances week-in, week-out. I've left on good terms.”

Holker chairman Dick John thanked Redhead for his service to the club, while hoping a new appointment will be made within the next few weeks.

“We're looking at a couple of options,” John said. “For the moment, Sean and Glyn will be in charge. They both went to Blackpool on Tuesday and they are both available until we sort things out.

“Glyn has stood in for Scott a few times this year when he has been away, and Sean ran the second-team last year, so they have both managed and played at the club. They know what we are all about.

“I don't think it will be too long before we have a new manager. There are two or three possibilities we are looking at.”

Looking ahead to tomorrow's clash with Northern League high-fliers Stockton, John added: “I think it will be a good game. They're a top who who have come up through the leagues. Hopefully, we should do all right though.”