JIM McBride wants to be the next manager of Chorley and he is hoping it is going to be third time lucky.

McBride has been put in temporary charge following Mark Patterson's resignation on Tuesday night - but he has revealed that he wants it for keeps.

The former St Helens and Rossendale boss has previously applied for the post but has been beaten by Mark Molyneaux and then Patterson on each occasion.

But as he prepares his side for tomorrow's visit of Unibond League Division One leaders, Hyde United, McBride believes he has the pedigree to jump in to the Victory Park hot seat.

He said: "I have made my feelings know to the chairman that I am interested in the job and I think I have the full backing of the players.

"I've applied to be manager twice before so let's hope it is going to be third time lucky."

McBride, brought to Chorley in November as Patterson's assistant, was full of praise for the former Blackburn Rovers and Bolton Wanderers star.

"Mark is the best coach I have worked with so I am sad that he has resigned," he said.

"I think the problem was that he was used to working with Conference and professional players.

"He became a little bit frustrated with working with players in the Unibond League on a part-time basis."

McBride believes Chorley are running out of games in an attempt to secure a top 13 place. But he says there is a lot more than pride at stake in the five remaining fixtures.

"The players must take some blame for Mark going as the results on the park have not been as good as we would have expected," he said.

"A top 13 place is going to be hard to achieve now but I have told the players that they are playing my future and, if a new manager comes in, their own futures as well."

McBride will be without keeper Lee Bracey and Keith Hill but is hoping that centre half Ian Leather and striker Andy Mason will be in the squad.