Hadleigh United are on the lookout for a new manager after Stuart Crawford left Millfield over the weekend.

Crawford had been in charge of the 2013/2014 Thurlow Nunn Premier Division champions for the last four and a half years, but quit as first-team boss on the eve of the 5-0 drubbing at league-leaders Norwich United.

“Stuart has his reasons for leaving and the club thanks him for all he has done,” declared chairman Rolf Beggerow.

“He has played a major part in raising the profile of Hadleigh United FC within the Eastern Counties, but we are having to rectify the situation and it is onwards and upwards.”

Crawford has undoubtedly risen the profile of Hadleigh since taking charge.

A memorable 2012/13 FA Vase run saw the Brettsiders reach the last eight of the competition, while last season, Crawford led the club to glory as they won the Eastern Counties Premier League for the first time in their history.

Hadleigh also reached the final 16 of the Vase last season, but this campaign’s achievements have not been anywhere near as glamorous.

A squad upheaval in the summer unsettled things, but a solid start saw them lead the way in the early-season league tables, before a recent poor run of form (Hadleigh have won just two of their last 13 league games) has seen them fall off the pace at the top.

That, added with a shock exit in the early stages of the Vase at First Division side Great Yarmouth Town, has therefore meant things on the pitch at Millfield haven’t quite been as exciting as previous seasons.

Chairman Beggerow accepts that expectation has risen following last year’s achievements, but is excited at the opportunities that lay ahead for Crawford’s successor, whoever it may be.

“Stuart has endured a high-turnover of players and last year was always going to be a tough act to follow,” added Beggerow.

“We are still in a nice position in the league (sixth) and two years ago that would have been good, but since we won the league, obviously expectations rise a bit.”

Assistant manager Alan Dilloway and coach Ian Brown were in charge of the Brettsiders’ disappointing heavy defeat at Norwich United on Saturday, and will continue to take temporary charge of proceedings until the Brettsiders appoint a permanent fixture.

“In Alan Dilloway and Ian Brown we have two very capable coaches who seem happy to take things forward for now,” added Beggerow.

The pair will make their home debut in charge of the Brettsiders against FC Clacton on Saturday, as Hadleigh look to get their season back on track.

The Brettsiders have accumulated 33 points from 21 league games this campaign, and sit just three points short of the top four, but under overwhelming pressure from sides below them after such poor form of late.

n Applications for the position of Hadleigh first-team manager should be sent in writing to Brettsiders’ chairman Rolf Beggerow (RFBeggerow@aol.com). The closing date for applications will be Saturday, January, 10, 2015.