NEW blood is being sought at Pickering Town to fill the shoes of successful reserves and Under-19 manager Richard Rose.

The young coach recently left to take up a role in the United States and the Pikes are now actively searching for a successor.

Rose took the reserve team to fifth in the league and the under-19s to second in the table last season, with several players now knocking on the door to the first XI.

And first team boss Steve Brown is keen to find a replacement as soon as possible.

He said: "Richard is a young lad who came here wanting to progress managerially and he's gone on and done that and now we are looking for a new reserve team manager. It would be nice to get someone who's had some coaching experience but we are throwing the door open to anyone who's interested.

"We think it's quite a good structure we have got here and there is a small wage attached to it as well."

Anyone who thinks they are up for the challenge can get in touch with Brown on 07950 356440.

The Pikes, meanwhile will go into their penultimate pre-season match at Tadcaster Albion with a few names missing from the line-up.

But with Steve Swales and Brian Dutton, who has returned from Cambridge United, nursing minor knocks and Alex Willgrass, Michael McNaughton and Chris Hudson also unavailable, it will give some of the emerging players a chance to make their presence felt before the season kicks off.

Central midfielder Dale Waddington and left-sided player Seb Towers will both be among those trying to impress.

Pickering play their final friendly on Tuesday night at home to Northern Counties East League Division One outfit Hall Road Rangers.

The Pikes had been hoping to confirm a fixture against a York City XI, but will now host Rangers instead, kick off 7.30pm.

Updated: 11:19 Friday, August 06, 2004