MARK Molyneaux is considering whether to throw his name into the hat for the vacant manager's job at Ramsbottom United.

The former Chorley boss and goalkeeper said he wanted to concentrate on playing after getting the axe from Victory Park last month and has played three games for the Rams, keeping two clean sheets.

But the departure of Andy Grimshaw at the Riverside may prompt Molyneaux into a change of heart, although the former Trafford chief is playing his cards close to his chest.

"It all happened a bit sharpish on Saturday," the 42-year-old stopper said.

"We finished the game and Andy just said we'd done well but he was finishing.

"I've not really thought about the job to be fair but my first impressions are that it's a nice little set-up and it's run quite well behind the scenes.

"They're a good bunch of lads and I think it would be a nice challenge."

But Molyneaux said he would hold discussions with Wayne Goodison, his assistant at Chorley, before making a decision regarding their management future.

He added: "We've actually said if they needed a lift in a caretaker capacity then I may do that but I'm enjoying playing at the moment."

As for Grimshaw, the demands of balancing work and family life with managing the Rams proved too much for him to cope.

He said: "It was getting me down. All I seemed to be doing was chasing my own tail trying to get players in.

"Mark Molyneaux is an example. I'm not blaming Mark Andrews for leaving, but things like that just leave you chasing all the time. I'm disappointed with that merry-go-round.

"I've got a wife and two kids and I'm away in Bristol a lot with my job, so I need to spend more time with that because it's my livelihood.

"It was a very, very hard thing to do on Saturday and the response I got off the players was overwhelming.

"It took me back because I didn't know they thought that much about me. They're gutted because they think somebody new will come in with new players, but I'd like to think that's not going to happen.

"They are a bit worried about their position at the club and if they don't like it they might go, which is disappointing because there's a lot of potential there."

Grimshaw is now taking some time off from football following a career that has established him as one of the region's top non-league players.

He said: "I've been a semi-professional for 25 years and it takes its toll so I just need a break from it all."

Ged Walsh will take charge of tonight's game at home to managerless Trafford.