TOWN legend Andy Booth today told any prospective new manager: “I want to be part of your plans.”

The 34-year-old striker, who is out of contract in the summer, has been left in limbo by the departure of Andy Ritchie.

Only last week, Ritchie offered the 140-goal clubman a new one-year contract – but no details were discussed.

Now Booth, like the other 15 who are looking for new deals in the summer, is wondering what will happen.

But he’s made it clear he wants to see out his career by helping Town achieve promotion in their centenary season.

“It was only last week that Andy Ritchie offered me a year but, obviously, I’m not sure now how that will stand,” said Booth, who is hoping for an eighth successive start when caretaker boss Gerry Murphy announces his team to face Doncaster at the Galpharm on Saturday.

“Obviously I’m hoping the new manager will make me an offer as well because I do feel I’ve got another good year in me and it would be great to be involved in the centenary – especially if we can make it a successful one.

“Things haven’t gone as we wanted this season, which is disappointing for the players, the fans and everyone connected with the club, but I don’t think we are too far off if we can bring the loose ends together and I would very much like to be a part of that.

“When Andy made me the offer it was just an initial thing and we didn’t get any further with it, so we will have to see what happens now when the new man comes in.”

Booth himself has no aspirations to be a manager or coach when he hangs up his boots and the likes of Chris Hutchings, Mark Lillis, Ronnie Jepson, Steve Cotterill, Martin Allen and Iain Dowie remain at the head of an early list of potential candidates.

Booth, meanwhile, admitted the players thought rumours of Ritchie’s departure were an April Fools joke until Murphy stepped in for the first of two training sessions yesterday.

“It came as a shock,” said Booth. “Andy was good with the players and he’s not only a good manager but a very good bloke as well.

“Unfortunately, the story of our season has been inconsistency and, while we have shown how capable we are on certain occasions, we’ve also been very, very poor and that’s hard for any of us to explain.

“All we can do now is look for a win against Donny and to finish this season well.”