TERRY PARRIS fully expects Lewes to be playing in Blue Square south next season and has not ruled out Steve Ibbitson staying on as manager.

There have been fears among fans Lewes could drop more than one division following a season beset by financial problems.

But chairman Parris says that would only happen if the club went into administration which they have no intention of doing.

In a frank interview Parris revealed: l Lewes are currently managing their debts, arranging payment plans with creditors l They are restructuring how the club is run with a new management committee being formed l They will consider promoting Ibbitson to full-time manager l He has vowed to lead the club back to the good times.

It has been a miserable debut season for Lewes in Blue Square premier with their on-field struggles being overshadowed by off-field problems.

The club has been up for sale since November, they survived a winding-up petition in March and have so far staved off administration.

Although there is still no sign of new investors, Parris is hopeful the club can start to move forward and prepare for life in Blue Square south next season.

Parris has taken a lead role in trying to deal with the club’s debts and the next step will be the creation of a new management committee involving the Members Clubs, the Supporters’ Trust and existing directors who had planned to step down at the end of the season.

He said: “At this stage there is no firm group of people coming in to take over. We have got a meeting next Tuesday when we will try to work out how the club is managed with regard to possibly a management committee with a separate finance committee who reports back. There will be a lot more transparency right through the club “A lot of financial situations have been sorted out over the last week but we still have a lot of work to do with regards to people we owe money to. We have some funding coming in over the next couple of weeks which will help us and a couple of home games as well. There are a number of schemes over the summer on the pitch which will generate revenue “We are still looking for people from outside who have an interest to come on board and maybe join this management committee and offer something whether it is financial or just their time.”

Parris does not expect the club to go into administration during the summer and has already worked on a business plan to run the football side of matters next year.

Who will be manager will be decided after Tuesday’s meeting. The Rooks have had a number of applications even though they have not advertised the position but caretaker boss Ibbitson, who insisted when he took over he would revert to being youth team boss next year, could be in the frame.

Parris said: “There have been some good applicants albeit we are not really in a position to talk to them at this stage, because we can’t promise them anything.

“When we know the structure of the club next week, we will decide then whether we need to look at people who have applied or whether we need to run with the set-up we have got at the moment providing they are happy.

“It is very much a possibility. You can see that Steve has got the total support of everybody. He couldn’t have done any better than he has done in the short space of time. It is not going to be a question of going out and getting 18 new players next year. In real terms we are looking at keeping the young players we have got and adding three or four more experienced players to the existing squad.”

Skipper Danny Cullip is the only player who has a contract into next season but Ibbitson has already spoken to other players whose contracts are ending who the club may wish to keep.

Potential new recruits, including players who played under Steven King, have been identified and Parris insists Lewes will be doing all they can to keep hold of their best youngsters.

He said: “However long it takes, we will get back to the successful days. We want to consolidate next year in Conference south, getting back to where we were with good crowds and total support for the management and players.”