There was sadness all round at Longmeadow this week, as Whitchurch United boss Brian Drury was sacked after seven years at the club.

The former manager of the Jewson Wessex League's bottom side said he was sad to leave - but that he was looking forward to regaining his family life. And United chairman Tony Chivers said it was "a very, very sad and difficult decision" that saw the United stalwart go.

Drury's former assistant Derek Smalley, and goalkeeper Dave Smalley, are the new management pairing.

The departing boss told the Advertiser: "I didn't fight the committee's unanimous decision because I secretly felt quite relieved.

"I've missed my Christmas for the last three or four years because of being so committed to the club, so I'm looking forward to getting my holidays back, and spending more time with my grandchildren."

He told the Advertiser that although he had given his all to keep Whitchurch winning in the JWL, United's financial constraints meant any manager would find it difficult to attract high-quality players or keep them at the club. He said: "Normally it would be easy to accept that if you got four points in a season, you had to go. But Whitchurch have been competing at the wrong level of football for some time.

"I still think Whitchurch is a wonderful set-up and a smashing club, but it's a small-town club that really needs financial support."

Whitchurch, unlike many JWL clubs and many in the Hampshire premier division, cannot afford fees or expenses for players.

Drury told the Advertiser: "I ended up giving some of the younger players petrol money and some others expenses. I didn't complain, and I was under no pressure to do it, but I felt I had to do it to encourage some players to come here.

"You find yourself almost begging players to play for you."

Drury went on: "Last season, and it's almost the same every season, you get players in and they only stay for a season, because they're uncomfortable always staying in the bottom six. They all had ambition, but the club lacks it."

United have suffered a disastrous season in the JWL this year, but fans, chairman and departed manager alike are of the opinion that the team haven't had their fair share of luck. When United lost 2-1 at home to Newbury three weeks ago, injuries to Gary Shaughnessy and Marc Rees deprived United of quality players; since then, the club lost to another disputed penalty at Thatcham and then 3-0 at Cowes.

Drury said: "So on the lighter side, I got the sack because Shugs and Reesy went to hospital before we could finish off Newbury! And I think we would have won that game."

Whitchurch chairman Tony Chivers said the committee had let Drury go with a heavy heart. He told the Advertiser: "It wasn't something any of us felt good about doing, but it was a final throw of the dice to see if we could come up with something. There is no pressure on Derek and Dave; they know the situation they've taken over.

"We are an ambitious club, and we do want to stay in the Jewson Wessex League.

"But we're not one of those clubs with a rich benefactor, and the reality is that although we're full of aspiration we're limited by our finances. But we've got a very good committee and we're all working towards the same goal.

"There are other clubs doing well out there who are not paying their players; it's about team spirit. We've got some good players in our side. We do try to help them out as much as we can, and we do pay the train fare for one of our players. But it's just a fact of life that we don't have the same resources as other teams."

If you would like to apply for the position call Tony Chivers on 01256 893 696.