Chairman Alex Mutch insists Market Drayton Town will not rush an appointment following the shock departure of manager Simon Line to Hednesford.

The UniBond League division one south club have been rocked by Line’s sudden exit after five years of unprecedented success in north Shropshire.

He has won two promotions in that time, taking the unfashionable club from the West Midlands League and through the Midland Alliance to their current heights.

And the shockwaves were also being felt further across Shropshire, with Delwyn Humphreys looking set to quit Midland Alliance club Shifnal and join Line as his No 2.

That move was announced by Hednesford yesterday, though sources at Shifnal today insisted Humphreys took training as normal last night and had yet to tender his resignation.

Mick Murphy has been appointed the interim manager at Drayton for their clash at Rushall Olympic tomorrow – where a win could send them top of the table.

“We’d hope to have a new man in place within 28 days but if that’s not the case then so be it,” said Mutch.

“The club deserves to get the right person and the success we’ve had makes it a more attractive proposition.

“We’ve not had any direct approaches yet, but we have already had enquiries asking for information about the job.”

Mutch revealed that centre-back Grant Goodhead also looks certain to follow Line to Hednesford, with the Zamaretto League premier division outfit having actually served seven days’ notice for him last Saturday.

But the chairman wished Line well in his new position, adding: “I felt with the success we have had that will we would do well to keep the management team in tact this season – that is what success breeds.

“Simon has done a great job and I have never held anyone back with ambitions.”

Line was relishing the challenge. “I’m ambitious and joining Hednesford is the next step up for me,” he said. “They are a big club.”