Chairman Lee Carter today admitted his shock at the quality of candidates who have already applied for the AFC Telford United manager’s job, declaring: “We’ve under-estimated our own potential.”

A number of big names are believed to have put their names forward – and recently departed boss of The New Saints, Dr Andy Cale, today became the latest to express an interest.

Former Shrewsbury Town boss Jimmy Quinn has applied while stars like Andy Sinton and Tim Flowers have been linked with the post.

Carter has set a deadline of May 24 to make an appointment, and insists there is no rush as he starts to sift through the list to find Rob Smith’s successor.

“We’ve been very impressed with the interest shown, even though the job hasn’t been advertised yet – and it can’t be because we are still finalising legal affairs with the (out-going) management team,” said Carter.

“We are expecting that will be done by the end of the week.

“At the moment, we’ve had a little less than 20 applications, but they are all quality – every single person who has thrown their hat into the ring could do a job here.

“I think it shows that we have been under-estimating the potential of this club and how attractive a proposition it is to some people.”

Meanwhile, Cale has revealed that he may throw his hat into the ring in the coming days – having left the Oswestry-based Saints earlier this week after leading them to the Welsh Premier and League Cup double.

UEFA Pro Licence holder Cale is educational advisor and sports psychologist to the English FA.

He has also managed Rhyl and was assistant coach of the England Under-16 team and a sports psychologist with Sheffield United.

“I think Telford is a good club and I would be interested,” revealed Cale.

“I’ve only just left TNS so I’m still considering my options at the moment.

“TNS are full-time and I was finding it difficult to put in the time it needed. I’d have hated it if we weren’t successful and I’d feel like I’d let them down.

“But a part-time club would be different, and something I might look at.”