SOCCER: Tony Kinsella, who resigned as Witham Town manager last weekend, is looking to get back in the hot seat this summer. And he would ideally like it to be with a club nearer his Capel St Mary home.

By Elvin King

TONY Kinsella, who resigned as Witham Town manager last weekend, is looking to get back in the hot seat this summer.

And he would ideally like it to be with a club nearer his Capel St Mary home.

This will set pulses racing at a number of Jewson League clubs who feel they may be currently underachieving.

The former Ipswich Town player did well at the Ryman League Essex club after being tempted away from coaching at the Ipswich Town Academy.

He joined Third Division Witham in September 2000, and this campaign has lifted them to the brink of a top six place. This would be enough to qualify for a place in Division One when the leagues are re-structured next season.

But the rug was pulled from under his feet when Witham chairman David Knott declared that the club would not be making ground improvements necessary for a move up the ladder.

"I was told at the start of the season that if we finished in the top six we would go up," said Kinsella today. "We worked hard and before Saturday's match were in seventh place.

"Then I was told it was all in vain. The ground work required is minor, two turnstiles and some concrete work around the main stand area.

"If we were near the foot of the table, or the work was major I could understand, but I felt I had no option than to resign."

Kinsella has Ipswich-based strikers Ian Brown and Glen Driver in his Witham side and it remains to be seen whether they stay or return to clubs nearer home.

"I had my budget cut at Christmas and I could live with that, but now I want to find a nice club that does things right," he added.

"I don't want to step on anybody's toes and am happy to wait until the summer, but if a position became available this season I would show an interest.

"I love management and have no intention of stopping. I enjoy the dressing room buzz on Saturday afternoons.

"This is what tempted me away from the Ipswich Town Academy where I worked for 15 months with the Under-15 side that included players like Darren Bent."

Kinsella managed Harwich and Parkeston briefly with Don James' help after originally going to the Royal Oak to work with Martin Head when he was manager.

He then spent time at Stanway Rovers with Phil Bloss before joining the Academy. "I have already had one or two phone calls, but as I have said I am in no hurry," continued Kinsella.