Former Nottingham Forest and Chesterfield defender Blatherwick (34), who is Hucknall born-and-bred and lives in Papplewick, could not see the action because he was on holiday in Spain.

But he predicted a season of toil for The Yellows – although he was also coy about the revelation he was interviewed for the Town manager's job before it was given to Mick Galloway and Andy Miller.

Stories emerging this week suggest The Yellows were even on the brink of appointing Blatherwick at one stage.

But speaking from Spain, he refused to comment and added that he is concentrating on a career in coaching, first and foremost.

"I am doing my UEFA 'A' coaching licence at the moment and getting that is my aim," Blatherwick said. "I love coaching and that is what I am concentrating on.

"I am a Hucknall fan and I am Hucknall through and through. But management isn't something I want to consider at the moment. I don't think you can just walk into management."

Blatherwick joined Gainsborough as first-team coach just after former Mansfield Town midfielder Steve Charles was appointed manager last December.

Respected Blatherwick, who also runs the Fit 4 Football coaching scheme for youngsters in Hucknall with fellow Trinity coach, ex-Notts County striker David Reeves, helped guide the Lincolnshire club from the threat of relegation to a safe mid-table slot.

He added: "As a manager, you need a good number two who knows the job as well as you do.

"Steve Charles at Gainsborough is a great manager and he will go on to good things in the game.

"I am very confident in my coaching abilities and I just want to put all I can into that.

"I am good friends with Town manager Mick Galloway and I really hope he is a success. I hope he grabs this opportunity with both hands."

However Blatherwick believes The Yellows are in for a difficult season because the Blue Square North is much stronger than last season and the poorer clubs could struggle to survive.

"Obviously, as a big fan, I want Town to do well this season," he said. "But it will be tough.

"The relegation reprieve was a funny thing for Hucknall. I'm not sure how they took it. I think they were ready for life in the Unibond League, even though it was always on the cards that they would stay up.

"But it will be tough for them this year. The teams with smaller budgets will probably struggle.

"The Blue Square North just keeps getting stronger and teams like Hucknall and Gainsborough could struggle to compete.

"Having said that, this is football and shocks are always happening. Here at Gainsborough, our aim is to get to the play-offs.

"Who is to say that one of the smaller sides won't be up there challenging or one of the big-spending teams won't be at the bottom of the table? It could happen.

"But at Gainsborough, we have been having trouble getting players in because of the money they ask for. And then other clubs are coming in with ridiculous contract-offers. We can't and won't compete with it.

"Teams like Hucknall and Gainsborough have to run a much more professional set-up so we can compete with big-spenders like Southport, Stalybridge Celtic and Alfreton Town.

"Even sides like Fleetwood Town and Gateshead, who have come up this year, are spending a lot of money.

"The money in this league is ridiculous now. But it can be good being the underdog and maybe Town and Gainsborough can spring a shock this season."