Graham Hyde tells AFC Telford fans what is what

Seven days later, Hyde was reflecting on his first week as caretaker boss and fielding questions from supporters at the latest AFC Telford fans' forum.

Team selection, scouting, recent signings, the relegation battle and Cooper's eventual permanent successor were all among the topics fielded by Hyde and current assistant manager John Psaras, in an entertaining and enlightening evening at the New Bucks Head last night.

And Hyde told the meeting that while he had enjoyed his first week in the hot seat, following Cooper's move to become Kevin MacDonald's assistant at Swindon Town last Friday.

But he also believes he must prove himself a credible candidate in the Bucks' remaining games before considering applying for the job on a permanent basis.

Asked if he would apply for the job he said: "I think I have got to prove myself over the next 10 to 11 games and be a credible candidate. I am up for the challenge but with 10 to 11 games left there is still a lot of work to do."

Fans were invited to ask 'any question' to the new management team as well as the club board led by Chairman Lee Carter.

And the managerial situation was understandably a topic that came up on more than one occasion.

Carter confirmed that there have been expressions of interesting in taking over the managerial reins permanently at the club following Cooper's departure.

But he defended the decision not to appoint a new permanent manager in the immediate aftermath, questioning the impact that it could have had in the little time remaining between now and the end of the season.

Carter said: "People have thrown their hat into the ring for sure and we could have gone down the route of appointing a permanent successor.

"But that takes three weeks, even moving really quickly, which would take us to the end of March.

"The board have got a time frame in their minds as to what they want to work to."

Among the other insights revealed on the night, Hyde confirmed Jordan Rose would not be going out on loan to Kidderminster Harriers this season, following the club's expression of interest in the player last week.

He also spoke of the importance of scouting in terms of player recruitment and believes the club should be covering three games a week 'at all different levels' to help build up a detailed portfolio of potential transfer targets.

Other topics to be debated included the price of away travel and tickets for home games, the club's current fan-owned model of operation, the prospects of becoming a full-time team and ways of swelling club coffers in the future.

Regarding the prospects of becoming a full-time team, Carter did not think it could be on the agenda in the next three years unless the club changes from its current supporter-owned model.

But he also defended the current model and said it was his preferred choice. And supporters left the ground feeling satisfied with the answers received, with Hyde singled out for particular praise.

Callum Parrish, 15, from Aqueduct, said: "The manager is very optimistic about staying up and that is what we need.

"He's a very upbeat person and as long as that continues I think there will be a slight glimmer of a chance."

Frederick Seeley, aged 63, from Leegomery, said: "These fans forums do help give you confidence and hopefully we can go forward. Graham Hyde came across very well."