MANAGER Danny Searle says he is not overly concerned whether it is the north or the south division of the Vanarama National League's second tier where his Braintree Town side are placed next season.

However, the Iron boss said uncertainty could have some impact on his planning and team building over the early weeks of the summer.

Despite a strong conclusion to their season, Braintree finished the 2018/19 campaign by being relegated from the top flight of the National League after ending up in 22nd position.

Their move down has been confirmed for several weeks, but there is a question mark still hanging over where they will be heading and whether they will be lining up in the north or south division in August.

Braintree chairman Lee Harding said a few weeks ago that the club are unlikely to have their location properly confirmed until the league's AGM on June 8.

The south - the club's preferred option - is where the Iron won promotion from at the end of the 2017/18 season, while the north is widely considered to be a tougher prospect to get out of and will involve greater travelling for away action.

Searle isn't too worried about that.

However, he did say it may affect his recruitment policy over the summer as some southern-based players may not fancy joining if it is the north division where Iron are placed and the associated greater travelling demands.

So the Braintree boss is having to work around that uncertainty for the time being.

"It is what it is to be honest," said Searle.

"From a league perspective, we have to look at it and think what will be will be, but I'm not that bothered really.

"Ideally, it would be the south because it will mean less travelling but then there are a lot of really good teams in the north and that could be a great experience for the club, players and fans to head to some new grounds.

"What it may affect, though, is recruitment.

"Recruitment-wise, there may be implications because if we are travelling longer distances every other week then that may well affect players we can get.

"Players will be having to take time off work to do that and that could be tough so it's something we'll have to look at if we're placed in the north division.

"From my perspective, I want to create a good strong squad of young players who we can get into the building as much as we can, but what will be will be and we will take it in our stride."