STEVE Claridge has reassured fans of Salisbury FC that he is relishing the challenge in store and has dismissed a switch to hometown club Portsmouth FC.

The already-committed Salisbury FC boss, who has a 20 per cent stake in the phoenix club, insists he won't be applying for the vacant job at Fratton Park, writes Joel Holt.

Alarmed fans were unsure of Claridge’s future with the Whites after telling BBC Radio Solent on Monday “I’d do the job in a heartbeat” and “it’s something I’ve always wanted to do”.

But the 49-year-old now says he has no desire to succeed Andy Awford in the hotseat at the club he scored 34 times for between 1998/2001.

Setting the record straight, in an exclusive interview with The Echo's sister paper The (Salisbury) Journal, he said: “When I said I’d take it in a heartbeat, I didn’t mean now.

“I won’t be applying for the Pompey job.”

“I’m quite excited about what’s going on at Salisbury as we have something good happening.

“It’s a fantastic club which needs football. I’m confident that there will be football played next season.

"I’m really enjoying it now and looking forward to getting going as it’s been a long road.”

Claridge currently spends his Saturdays summarising on BBC Radio 5 Live and being a pundit on Football League Show.

He says that will have to stop next season when he takes charge of the newly-formed Whites.

“Even I cannot be in two places at once,” joked Claridge.

“Managing the friendly against Shrewton United in my first competitive game in charge was a better experience than I’ve ever had sat in a studio.”

“We all want to run this club properly and are not going to be stupid.

There is no doubt we can make this work.”

Claridge bought the assets of the old Whites - Salisbury City FC - alongside Ian Ridley, David Phillips, Jeremy Harwood and Graeme Mundy in December.

The consortium are still waiting to hear what league they will be posted into and expect to hear from the FA in the next week or so.

Claridge, a former Leicester City, Millwall and Birmingham City striker, added: “We want to be as high as possible.”

“We know the size of the club.”

"The important thing is to stay in a league, we don't care what teams we play as we know whoever we play they will have a go.

"I know we are a top ten Conference South side and a bottom half Conference Premier team.

"We know the size of the football club and have a budget in mind."

Salisbury are looking for July pre-season friendlies.

They have a number of dates available and can either host or travel to clubs from Saturday, July 4.

Email Ian Rigley on ian@salisburyfc.co.uk or tweet Steve Claridge @steveclaridge