By Matthew Panting

Welling owner Barrie Hobbins claims the club are looking for a "young and ambitious" manager to replace the departed Andy Ford.

The Wings are not expected to advertise for the job having already received seven applications for the post within 24 hours of Ford's exit on Monday.

Hobbins (pictured) declared: "I want someone young and ambitious, as simple as that.

"It would be ideal to have someone who is keen and enthusiastic.

"It's still early days yet, the phone has not stopped ringing and there has been plenty of interest.

"The FA Cup defeat didn't help but I'd imagine that we'll be able to give the new manager a budget similar to what Andy worked with."

Former Ebbsfleet assistant boss Alan Kimble seems to fit the criteria for the vacant post and looks certain to be among the major contenders.

Caretaker boss Lee Protheroe will be in charge against Chelmsford this Saturday and Hobbins refused to rule him out of the running.

"I think Lee likes to think he will be considered," said Hobbins. "If he does it for two or three weeks and things look good then he'll come into it."

Hobbins did hit back, however, at claims that the club's budget was holding Ford back - although he did diclose that they would consider stepping aside if the right offer came along.

"Andy would have liked the club to have more investment which is easy for him to say," said Hobbins. "But there's no guarantee that extra money brings you success.

"We've looked at all angles and there may be a time when we say we can't take it any further.

"We're not considering that at the moment but we do our best and there is a limit to the financial investment we can bring to the club."