Slade Relishes Challenge

By: Rob Sedgwick
Date: 27/05/2004

MANAGER in waiting Russell Slade, who is due to officially named at a press conference tomorrow morning, has revealed that the potential of the Mariners is what has lured him to Blundell Park.

The Boro boss, who has been in charge of the Seasiders since November 2001, had also been linked with neighbours with Scunthorpe recently, although he claims to have been approached by the Mariners rather than having applied for the job directly.

In an interview with the Scarborough Evening News Slade said: "I was approached by Grimsby and asked if I would like to be interviewed for the job. It's more a case of me being lured away from Boro than actively looking for something else.

"Grimsby are now a Third Division club but they still have the feel of a First Division side, although the stadium does need some work on it."

Slade looks as though he is set to leave Scarborough shortly after signing a contract extension at the McCain Stadium, where the former Sheffield Utd assistant manager was highly regarded.

Slade started his managerial career at Notts County in charge of the Youth Team, before taking the Assistant Manager's job at Bramall Lane. In his time at Scarborough, Slade last season led the Seasiders to the Fourth Round of the FA Cup against Chelsea, a run which saw Boro dispose of three Football League sides and earn the club around £500,000 - enough to pay the wage bill for the next two-and-half years.