Carlisle United boss Paul Simpson has been emphasising the need to replace departing physio Ross Goodwin as quickly as possible.
Goodwin, who has worked previously with Kilmarnock, Annan Athletic and Queen of the South, is going back over the border to join a new club.
Simpson said: “It’s one we want resolved quickly now we know that Ross is moving on. It’s inevitable that when you’re at a club like ours and you have good people, other clubs could well come along and try to take them away.
“They’ve made him an offer he can’t refuse, and it’s an offer that we can’t match here at our club. Good luck to him.
“He has a family that he’s got to look after and I totally respect that. He’s been brilliant for me, he’s got an incredible work ethic, and he’s really professional in the way he goes about things.
“He’s very good at his job, and the challenge for us now is to find a replacement who is equally as good, or maybe somebody with the potential to do that.
“I’ve got to say, we’ve had a couple of applicants so far who look really promising. I hope we’ll be interviewing next week for that role, and the sooner we can make a decision and whoever we can bring in can serve their notice at where they are, the better it is all round for everyone.”
Similar to bringing in a player, he spoke about the need to make sure it’s the right type of character who takes up the post.
“We have to do character checks as far as I’m concerned. Firstly they’ve got to understand what the role involves when it comes to being a first-team physio.
“It isn’t a 9-5 job in any way. You can’t expect to work four days a week, it’s a flipping hard job. There are times when I’ll be working from home, or enjoying a day off, and Ross is in here with the injured players.
“He checks in with them on a Sunday, sometimes he’s in then as well, so you could describe it as almost being a job that takes up all seven days every week.
“Maybe you aren’t in the building every day, but you’re constantly monitoring players and finding out where they are. Somebody who understands the job is vital, and somebody who has the experience and qualifications is also obviously important.
“Then personality comes into it as well. I do think that if you’ve got somebody who has worked in a professional sport environment – men’s football, women’s football, men’s cricket, women’s cricket, rugby for both, whatever – they understand the hours that are required.
“I don’t think anybody would apply for the job if they didn’t think they could take that on. We have had a couple of really strong applicants and I hope we’ll be talking to them next week.
“Ross has said he’ll help with that, because he wants to leave the club in a good place, and that doesn’t surprise me about him at all. It’s how he is. From there we hope to have an appointment made as soon as possible.”
