CHRISTCHURCH are expected to reveal their successor to Graham Kemp in the next 48 hours following a protracted managerial search.

Priory chairman Mark Duffy confirmed that the Hurn Bridge outfit were on course to make an announcement on their new boss this week.

Kemp, the most successful manager in Christchurch’s history, has been holding the fort since handing in his resignation in December.

Christchurch chief Duffy reported that the club had received interest from “eight or nine” potential candidates for the vacancy.

And while he refused to identify the contenders, Echo sources suggest Kevin Dawtry and Brian Le Boutillier could be in the frame.

Ex-Cherries star Dawtry, who won promotion at Dean Court in 1981-82, is currently in charge of Priory’s Wessex League rivals Totton & Eling.

Former Christchurch caretaker manager Le Boutillier was overlooked for the permanent post when Kemp was appointed in 2007.

But speaking to the Daily Echo on Saturday night, Duffy was tight-lipped.

He said: “We hope to be able to make an announcement some time during next week, but we have still got to speak to some people. Hopefully, we can put it to bed by the end of the week.

“I can’t discuss who we have seen or any more than that because nothing has been finalised or at the point where we have offered the position.

“There has been a lot of interest.

In terms of numbers, we are probably talking about eight or nine people.”

Christchurch were toppled from the Premier Division summit following a surprise 2-1 home defeat against Fareham Town on Saturday.

Sam Griffin put Priory in front but Matt Burt levelled for the visitors before Graham Lindsey hit a winner from the penalty spot.

Mark Smith was suspended, Dave Legg was rushed back from injury and Dan Thompson, Karl Yelland and Harry Cornick were all suffering from illness for depleted Christchurch. Kemp admitted: “I think it showed the longer the game went on.”

Discussing the managerial situation, Kemp added: “I will stay until they appoint somebody.

“I wanted to finish on a high, whether that was on Saturday or in six weeks.”

Priory: Collins, Yelland, Legg (Cullen, 60), Crutchley, Lloyd, Burden, Magookin, Puckett, Osborne, Cook (Cornick, 60), Griffin. Unused subs: Thompson, Dand, Frampton (g/k).