I heard this on pretty good authority. When Stitch and Sharp were up for the managers job obviously there was a great deal of support for Andy and very little for the other candidate. Although Sharp did have some support, his supporters club used to meet up in the phonebox that was at the bottom of Sheepfoot Lane. Anyway it turns out that all the debate was solely on the fans part, and no matter how much we all wanted Stitch the board had decided as soon as JR went it was Sharps if he wanted it.
Apparently on the day of the interviews Sharp went in and was in for some time, he came out and said to the waiting Ritchie, "I've go no chance, go for it good luck mate" or words to that effect before doing one, ahem, sharpish. Andy's interview lasted about a minute or there abouts, or so I've heard, basically they said "hello Andy, we have given Graeme the job, see ya". I blame that bushy eyebrowedtwot Stott meself!