ANGRY Winchester City boss Neil Hards has accused the FA Vase holders of treating their players shabbily.

With director of football David Malone quitting for the second time in four months this week, the club's promotion prospects have again been thrown into doubt.

And the new wave of uncertainty behind the scenes has only served to underline Hards's belief that the club is more competent on the pitch than it is off it.

He fumed: "It's like one massive soap opera here and I'm sick and tired of it. The players have been promised things and none of it's come to fruition. They've been let down time and time again.

"Last season they were promised Ryman football and it was the fault of the club that we didn't get it because the ground wasn't ready.

"The players did their bit by winning the league and, as a bonus, they won the FA Vase, which no one really expected. Winning the Vase should have been the platform to push the club on as high as it could go, but people have blown it and myself and the players are fed up being led up the garden path."

Hards's big fear now is that Malone's departure will affect plans to upgrade the Denplan City Ground.

It is understood that a backer was on standby to fund a £10,000 new stand, but whether that will go ahead now remains to be seen.

Hards said: "I'm under the impression that the stand's on order and due to be delivered in the next week or so. Whether it happens should determine which direction the club is going.

"If they want to stay in the Wessex League that's okay, but I've got players here who want to go on to higher things and were under the impression they would play Ryman football for Winchester.

"But through no fault of their own, it looks as if the rug's been pulled out from under them again.

"Certain people have let these players down by failing to deliver their promises and I have to stress that none of it is anything myself or the players have asked for.

"They've had a carrot dangled in front of them and then taken away, which isn't right. If people aren't going to do what they say they will, then why say it in the first place?"

Malone also feels let down from certain quarters, having pumped more than £100,000 into the club over three years. He said: "No one's more gutted than I am, but I don't believe it's been a wasted effort.

"We've had some great times along the way winning the Vase and the league, which was a fantastic achievement.

"The club's had a setback and maybe it's time for Winchester to stand still for a while rather than go forward.

"It's easy for others to feel bitter and twisted about it, but it's not costing them money.

"I tried my best at Winchester, but it hasn't been good enough. I'm in football to enjoy it, not to have a financial crisis every five minutes."

Despite the recent turmoil, City are just one point behind Wessex leaders Thatcham Town with three games in hand going into tomorrow's trip to Alton Town.