​TIVERTON Town will be closer to knowing the identity of their new manager by the end of the week, according to director Mike Bargery.

The club have received a flood of applications for the role — which was vacated by long-serving boss Martyn Rogers' resignation last week — and Bargery admitted it was a huge task for him and the rest of the committee to sift through them all.

But the candidates' list has been whittled down to about 12 and interviews with some applicants have already been held, so Bargery is confident a new gaffer will be unveiled at Ladysmead soon.

He said: "Initially we were surprised at the amount of applications we have had, but Tiverton is a big football club and Martyn is responsible for that, so maybe we shouldn't be surprised by the interest.

"We have actually had a tremendous response, so it has taken some time to look through them all.

"We have had a dozen quality applications so we will be looking to make a decision as soon as possible. I hope that by the end of the week we should have some idea of where we are going.

"We have got applicants that span the spectrum, from people trying to make a name for themselves to people that have already been there and done it.

"Now it's a question of deciding what we feel comfortable with after we have spoken to everyone."

The club will not accept any more applications for the role after today.

Some high-profile names have already been linked with the job including former Exeter City boss John Cornforth, who has been coaching Crediton United in recent seasons.

Craig Laird was linked with the job but has since become Weston-super-Mare's new manager after leaving Bridgwater Town at the end of last season.

Bideford chief Sean Joyce or Willand Rovers gaffer Clive Jones could also emerge as contenders for the role.

Jones says he would listen to Tiverton if they made him an offer, but insisted he would not apply for the Ladysmead job.

"I'm not going to apply for anything. Everyone knows everything about me so I don't need to," Jones said.

"I'm happy where I am but I would look at any offers like the players do. If people want to speak to me they can."

Former Yellows players Chris Vinnicombe and Dave Leonard, as well as current Tivvy midfielder Mark Saunders, are also thought to be in contention for the Tivvy job.

Bargery said: "It won't be easy for anyone coming into the club because of the legacy Martyn is leaving. It's definitely the end of an era.

"But I think finding a new manager will take care of itself because there is so much quality in the running to replace Martyn.

"It's absolutely vital we get someone in as soon as possible because they have got to start building for next season."

Tivvy are also looking for a part-time commercial manager following Rogers' departure.

Bargery said: "The response for the commercial role has been a bit more patchy, but we have had applications from as far away as Stoke City and as close as Exeter City."

The Yellows will play in the Southern League Premier Division again next season following the restructuring of the non-league pyramid as a result of various other clubs' financial woes.