AS TOWN officials contemplate a successor to Andy Ritchie, who was in the job for just under a year, supporters are having their say.

Tim Cartwright, the manager of Ladbrokes in the town centre, believes the former Barnsley manager deserved more time to turn the club’s fortunes around.

He said: “I was quite surprised Ken Davy took action as he’s not usually the type of owner that sacks his managers regularly.

“You would have thought he would have sacked him at the end of the season, which would give him all summer to find another manager.

“People were disgruntled with Ritchie, but I don’t think there was any real great animosity. It was more directed at the individual players.”

Cartwright believes the way for Town to progress in the right direction is by employing a young manager with a view to long-term success.

“I think we need a young manager who has just recently finished playing, someone like Paul Ince,” he explained.

James Greenwood, a graphic designer, echoes Cartwright’s thoughts regarding the time span given for managers to succeed nowadays.

He said: “Football managers don’t seem to be given time and it’s very much results based rather than the long term.

“You don’t get chance to bring through the young players and it’s all about the quick fix.

“I would like to see Billy Davies get the job as he’s got a proven track record and can work with a small budget.”

Mark Edmonds, a student at the University of Huddersfield, points to the launch of season ticket sales as a possible reason for the decision.

He said: “I’m surprised they didn’t wait until the end of the season.

It’s possibly a rash decision to sack him with six games left, but with season tickets going on sale next week I think that’s had a bearing on the decision.

“I think perhaps it’s time for a change. Attendances have been down so if they get a new manager they might get some of the fans back.”

Edmonds believes an experienced campaigner is vital to Town’s chances of progressing forward.

He said: “We need somebody with experience. Martin Allen would be a good appointment and knows the lower leagues very well during his time managing MK Dons and Brentford.

“There’s no point appointing a big name just for the sake of it.”

Daniel Grouse wants to see the highly-experienced Joe Royle take the Galpharm hot-seat but doesn’t want a mass clear-out of the current players who make up the squad.

He said: “Royle’s had a good record in the past.

“Whoever takes over should keep the same players and see what happens. Why change and bring in new players? I think things are changing too quick.”