FORMER Terras’ legend Ian Hutchinson has refused to rule out the possibility of a shock return to the Wessex Stadium as manager.

Echosport understands the current Bridport boss is one of the dozen candidates that chairman Ian Ridley is considering for the vacant post.

And speculation is mounting that Hutchin-son has become a strong frontrunner and could be offered a formal interview when the board finalises its shortlist.

Ridley is believed to be a keen admirer of the 36-year-old, who eclipsed all expectations along the south coast by navigating the Bees to 13th in Toolstation Western League Division One.

In his first managerial position, Hutchinson has operated on a shoestring budget while abiding by a philosophy of nurturing homegrown talent.

It is attributes such as these that the new man at the helm will need to possess as the Terras’ hierarchy looks to streamline on-field resources.

Although insisting he is planning to start the new season with Bridport, Hutchinson admitted taking the reins at the Blue Square South outfit is a job he “would love to do”.

When asked about the likelihood of succeeding Bobby Gould, he said: “At the moment I’m the Bridport boss and I will stay there until told otherwise.

“I wouldn’t rule myself out of the job because I am passionate about Weymouth but I am loving every minute of it at Bridport and am getting on with the day-to-day life.

“I’m extremely flattered to be mentioned with other names in relation to the position but at the moment it is all rumour.

“I have ambition and always want to better myself and because I played at Weymouth for so many years I have a great affinity to the club and the fans.”

Hutchinson, who revealed Ridley has contacted him, added: “Ian asked if I could come down as a guest to one of the final games of the season but unfortunately I couldn’t make it. I joked with him about becoming manager at some point down the line but I haven’t made any written request to apply for the job.”

Hutchinson established himself as a firm terrace favourite at Weymouth by making more than 500 appearances for the club during a 12-year spell.

The left-footed midfielder replaced Royston Davies in the St Mary’s Field hot-seat last May before installing former Terras’ boss Andy Mason as his assistant.

WHO WILL BE THE NEXT TERRAS’ BOSS?

By Adam Summers

FRONT-RUNNERS

Marcus Browning: The 38-year-old was given the role of player-coach at the Terras last season and he still has a year left on his contract.

Ian Hutchinson: The former Weymouth legend has just completed his first season in management at Toolstation Western League Division One side Bridport.

Alex Browne: Another ex-Terras great who is learning the trade at Wimborne Town in the Sydenhams Wessex League.

Andy Harris: The Eastleigh midfielder currently runs the Weymouth Academy side.

Steve Thompson: The former Wycombe Wanderers star was released as assistant-manager of Yeovil Town in February after 11 years at the club.

Andy Mason: The Bridport assistant-manager was in the Terras’ hotseat between October 1999 and May 2002.

Ashley Vickers: Currently Roy O’Brien’s number two at Dorchester Town, he was released as a player by the Terras in March 2008.

POSSIBLE CONTENDERS

Tommy Killick: The ex-Dorchester striker has just led Poole Town to the Sydenhams Wessex League Premier Division title.

Ged Roddy: Led Team Bath to 11th in the Blue Square South last season but could be on the lookout for a new job after the university side withdrew from the league last month.

Mark Morris: The former Dorchester boss did a marvellous job of working on a strict budget in the county town before resigning in July 2006.

Shaun Teale: The former Weymouth and Aston Villa defender led Burscough to an FA Trophy triumph in 2003. He has since managed Northwich and Chorley but has been out of the game since August 2006.

Steve King: Took Lewes from Ishmian League Division Three to the Conference in just seven years, winning the Blue Square South title in 2007-08 before being controversially released. He then joined Northwich but resigned in February after just three-and-a-half months in the job.

Jimmy Quinn: Sacked as manager of AFC Bournemouth last December, the former Northern Ireland international has vast experience having also been at the helm of the likes of Reading, Swindon Town and Cambridge United.

Glen Cockerill: The ex-Southampton legend was sacked as manager of Woking in March 2007, following five years in charge.

Andy Tilson: The former QPR and Bristol Rovers player was head coach at Team Bath last season.

Johnson Hippolyte: The ex-Yeading player-manager is currently the boss at Maidenhead United.

Alan Devonshire: The former West Ham United legend and England international has taken Hampton & Richmond Borough from Ryman Division One South to last season’s Conference South play-off final where they lost 3-2 against Hayes & Yeading.

Graham Kemp: The ex-Brockenhurst boss is currently at the helm of Christchurch.

Simon Browne: The ex-Weymouth defender, who enjoyed a spell as a coach at Salisbury City, led Poole Town to the Sydenhams Wessex League Premier Division title last season as skipper.

Lee Phillips: The former Weymouth striker, whose second spell at the club was abruptly ended in February, has always expressed a wish to go into management. He is currently playing for Cambridge United.

Dave Kiteley: The ex-Weymouth Reserves boss led Portland United to the Dorset Premier League title in 2007-08 and is currently on the coaching staff at Christchurch.

RANK OUTSIDERS

Steve Claridge: The former Leicester City and Portsmouth striker managed the Terras in 2003-04 during chairman Ian Ridley’s first spell at the club.

Garry Hill: Another ex-Weymouth boss who has also managed Dagenham & Redbridge and Rushden & Diamonds. When he exited the Terras in January 2007, he vowed to return one day in the future.

Bobby Gould: The former Wales and Wimbledon boss took charge of the Terras in the final few weeks of last season but was unable to keep them in the Blue Square Premier.

Tony Adams: The ex-Arsenal and England defender had close links with Weymouth during the reign of Ridley and Claridge in 2003-04. He has also managed Wycombe Wanderers and Portsmouth where he was sacked in February.

Des Bulpin: The former Weymouth director of football is a vastly experienced coach following spells at Plymouth Argyle, Tottenham Hotspur and Queens Park Rangers.

Brian O’Donnell: The ex-AFC Bournemouth and Torquay player had a brief spell as caretaker-manager of Dorchester Town last season. He has also managed Bournemouth Poppies and Poole Town.

Kevin Hales: Enjoyed a spell as assistant-manager at Weymouth, alongside Garry Hill, where he helped lead the club back into the Conference in 2005-06.

Kevin Hodges: The ex-Plymouth Argyle great, who has played and managed the Pilgrims, is currently working at Home Park as a part-time coach. He has also coached at Yeovil and was at the helm of Torquay United between 1996 and 1998.

Dean Holdsworth: Had a brief spell as a player at Weymouth but is now the manager of Newport County.