INTERIM Selby Town boss Nigel Emery believes that a local manager is exactly what the Northern Counties East League division one club needs.

The Robins parted company with Beverley-based Dave Ricardo and his assistant Bill Gill last Friday.

Emery, who has recently taken charge of Selby’s Under-19 side and local Sunday league team Hounds FC, has been handed the reins at Flaxley Road alongside Reuben Pearse until the end of the season.

Emery said: “It’s not the biggest budget in the league but I think a local manager could do this club the world of good.

“We’ve not had a local manager since Bob Lyon and managers have come and gone, but I think this is a hometown club at heart.

“We’ve got no problem with players from elsewhere but we’ll be looking to bring in the best of local talent and to blend them with those already here.”

Chairman Ralph Pearse admitted the timing of Ricardo’s dismissal was designed so that any players that leave the club can be replaced in the March transfer window.

Some player movement is anticipated in the coming days from a squad that was left somewhat surprised and disappointed by Ricardo’s departure.

Emery is looking to build from the nucleus of the current squad and confirmed that Town are close to bringing in four new recruits: “Every manager has a bit of a following," he explained.

“We’ve said if any of them want to stay we’ve got no problem with that, they will be on the same money as before.

“We’ve put seven days in on four players to come in.

“The aim will be top ten if we can keep eight or ten players already here and add what we feel to be good, local players playing at the same or a higher level.”

Apart from two players who have decided to leave the club and the injured Brent Leister, the new management team will have a full complement to select from as they make their bow at Teversal on Tuesday night.

“We’re speaking to players and breaking the ice,” he said. “I’ll be getting feedback from every player but as far as I can see they are dead keen on playing for us.

“The two who have decided to leave shared travel with Dave.

“One of them came to training and said he enjoyed training, but he would be travelling 50 miles and he didn’t want to do it on his own.

“His local team came in for him to pay similar money, so I totally understood it and it was nothing against me.”

Among concerns raised by the Selby committee was an inconsistency of selection during Ricardo’s tenure that saw 60 or 70 players registered to play at any given time.

Emery, who has served on the club’s committee in the past, outlined his preference for a streamline squad, adding: “A pet hate of mine is playing different teams every week.

“I like to keep my team fairly consistent, a squad of 16 or 17. I want to work with a smaller squad.”

Reuben Pearse, other half of the Robins’ management team, is an exciting addition to the club according to Emery.

“Reuben’s knowledge and contacts and local football is second to none really” he enthused.

“He’s buzzing, bubbly, very outgoing.

“He speaks to more people in football in the local area than you can imagine and I’m very much looking forward to him.”