Reaction from Elliot Sandy after his appointment as interim manager at Spalding United

Interim manager Elliot Sandy insists everyone at Spalding United will be pulling together with the aim of creating a special season for the Tulips.

Sandy is taking charge of the Tulips until the end of the Northern Premier League Midlands Division campaign following the surprise departure of Brett Whaley this week.

The former Brackley Town, Kettering, AFC Rushden & Diamonds, Banbury, Stamford and Corby marksman inherits a Spalding side who are third in the league table and also through to the final of the Lincolnshire Senior Cup last month.

While admitting Whaley's departure had surprised the squad, striker Sandy - who was one of the former manager's first signings last summer - wants to finish the season with a flourish.

He said: "It was out of the blue and the players never really expected it, but it's obviously happened now and we have to move on.

"We've got a good squad of players and we're in third place in the league for a reason. It's now a case of showing everyone how good we are.

"We haven't been great over the last few weeks which did let the management team down but we've got to show everyone that we're in this together and there is still a lot to play for.

"We're a tight-knit group and we've got to pull together for each other. We've got to give everything that we can to get where we want to be.

"Everyone at the club wants to get promoted and that's still the aim. We still want to achieve what we set out to do.

"I'll be doing everything that I can to give the most positive way to do it and, after speaking to each of the players individually, they are fully behind me and I've got the respect of the dressing room."

The Tulips are currently nine points behind league leaders Stamford with a game in hand on both the Daniels and second-placed Halesowen who are six points clear of the Tulips.

Sandy added: "When these things happen, it can go one of two ways. We can down tools and just see out the season or we can see that we've got ourselves in an unbelievable position.

"We've got a real chance of still making the season a special one. I've been in football a long time and have been lucky enough to win leagues and play in play-off finals but a lot of players don't get those opportunities.

"We're in a position where we can actually either win the league if we have a great run or secure a play-off place and anything can then happen.

"It was a surprise to the players about Brett leaving but we're all really pulling together to make sure we have a great end to the season."

Sandy's first match at the Spalding helm should have been against his former club Corby Town - where he spent four seasons as player assistant boss - on Saturday but the game has been postponed due to a snow covered surface at Steel Park.

He explained: "Management is not something that I was looking into at the current moment in time. I dipped my toe in a bit at Corby but I'm someone who still wants to play as long as I can.

"I feel that I can still help out on the pitch but, when I got the phone call, I was told that the club believes I have all the attributes to be a good manager and they would happily back me to lead the team.

"I've got a lot of friends in football and I've spoken to a few people and they said it was a good opportunity.

"I'm not getting any younger and it's naturally the next step. I'm relishing the opportunity and I'm someone who can't do anything half-heartedly.

"There's been a lot of good feedback because I'm ambitious and I want to win things which is why I joined Spalding in the first place.

"I've been successful in my playing career at this level and I want to achieve the same in management.

"The players will know what to expect from me. I've had high standards all season as a player and it will be exactly the same as a manager."

Sandy will be assisted by team-mate James Clifton while goalkeeping guru Ben Derbyshire is staying with the club and will remain part of the management team following the departure of Whaley and assistant Bruno Porfirio.

Sandy explained: "James has got the respect of the lads and he gets on well with the group which is so important to us.

"It was really difficult for Ben as well but I'm pleased that he is staying. I think really highly of him. He knows his stuff and will be working closely with us.

"I really wanted someone who has been there, done it and Ben is really passionate about the club which is what you need."