COLIN Addison's reign as manager of Scarborough appears to be nearing an end, with former York City boss Neil Thompson emerging as the early favourite to replace him.

Boro chairman John Russell has revealed that the club are trying to come to a financial agreement with Addison for him to leave his job, claiming the 60-year-old former City forward is finding it hard to give the Seasiders enough commitment.

Discussions are on-going, though Russell expects the matter to be resolved within seven to ten days.

Addison, who has been in charge at the McCain Stadium since February 1999, guided the club to fourth place in last season's Nationwide Conference after being unable to prevent their dropping out of the Football League the year before.

Although he still has 12 months of his contract to run, it is believed he has already spoken to the players regarding his departure.

Russell said: "We are in negotiations with a view to Colin leaving Scarborough Football Club.

"He's getting on a bit and the pressure on him travelling to and from his home in Hereford have been horrendous over the last 12 months. He has found it difficult to give us the commitment we require and both parties feel it would be in the best interests of the club if he left.

"But he is wanting a package and this is something the football club has got to take into consideration, and it is what we are negotiating."

Addison - a former manager at Hereford, West Brom, Derby and Spanish sides Atletico Madrid and Celta Vigo - is thought to be disappointed that owner Brooks Mileson has not made money available to strengthen the squad for an assault on promotion back to the Football League.

However, Russell, said: "From my point of view, I can't see how that's so when £250,000 was given to him for new players last year. That is a fortune for Scarborough Football Club."

The chairman added that the transfer embargo imposed by the FA because of money owed to a trio of former players, Tony Elliott, Liam Robinson and Jason Lydiate, would soon be lifted.

"It will all be sorted out before the season starts, and everything will by hunky-dory," he said.

An obvious replacement as Boro boss would be former Ipswich Town defender Thompson, who played in the Scarborough side which won promotion to the Football League back in 1987.

He was linked with the Boro hot-seat prior to Addison's appointment, but instead began his career in management at Bootham Crescent after taking over from the sacked Alan Little a month later.

The 36-year-old left York by mutual agreement in February, returning to the Seasiders in a playing capacity towards the end of the season and later being offered a player-coach's role.

Another likely candidate would be 35-year-old former Bolton and Preston midfielder Warren Joyce, who has recently parted company with Hull City.

Formerly player-boss at Boothferry Park, Joyce was sacked as manager in April, with incoming boss Brian Little releasing him as a player soon after.

Russell, however, did not add to speculation, saying: "We have no-one in mind to replace (Addison). We haven't started thinking about that yet."

peter.martin.co.uk