Harding: ball is in Alan's court over new Braintree Town contract (From Chelmsford Weekly News)

Harding: ball is in Alan's court over new Braintree Town contract

8:40am Thursday 15th March 2012 in County Sport By Simon Spurgeon

Braintree Town chairman Lee Harding says the ball is in Alan Devonshire’s court over a potential new contract as the Iron’s manager.

Devonshire’s team is sitting safely in the Blue Square Bet Premier’s mid-table ahead of Saturday’s home game against Kidderminster Harriers, but his current one-year deal as Iron boss is due to expire on May 22.

Harding confirmed that talks are ongoing with the former West Ham and England midfielder to extend that for another year at the helm, but he said the club won’t pay out beyond what it can afford.

He said: “Nothing has been signed yet and we are still in negotiations at the moment, but when the process is completed, I hope we can be in a position that we can offer an extension to Alan.

“We started the process last week and as well as speaking to me, I know Alan has been speaking with the other board members.

“If he comes back with a request for an agreement that the club feels is acceptable, then I believe we will be in a position to offer him an extension.”

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