FC CLACTON boss David Coyle has revealed he is stepping down after guiding the Ridgeons League club to a double-winning season.

FC CLACTON boss David Coyle has revealed he is stepping down after guiding the Ridgeons League club to a double-winning season.

Clacton added the Ridgeons League First Division KO Cup to winning promotion thanks to Friday night’s 2-1 victory over Essex rivals Halstead Town.

Coyle’s side had to come from behind to overcome Halstead in a thrilling final in front of 308 spectators at Hadleigh United’s Millfield ground after substitute Chris Bryan had fired Halstead in front in the 77th minute.

Goals from James Dunkley after 84 minutes and a last-minute winner from man-of-the-match Matt Walters sealed Clacton’s success to the delight of their travelling fans.

While the players were still celebrating their victory in the bar afterwards, Coyle revealed that he would not be at the helm for next season’s Premier Division campaign.

“I made my mind up two or three weeks ago, but I haven’t told the players yet. I could not bring myself to tell them tonight because they are enjoying their success.

“It is gutting to finish like this one the one hand, but brilliant to go out on such a high on the other.”

The 27-year-old, who works for Colchester United as a coach, has been involved with the club for five years and manager for the last two.

He said: “I don’t get paid a penny for doing this. It actually costs me money, and when I added everything up I decided it is just not viable for me to carry on next season.

“On top of that I am feeling exhausted.”

Coyle, whose side finished runners-up to Great Yarmouth in the league, said that he was delighted for both his players and the club’s supporters, who he described as the best in non-league football.

“I have worked hard for five years as have some of the players to compete at the top end of the table. To win promotion was brilliant, and now to win the cup is a fantastic feeling.

“We wanted to win some silverware this season, and the players totally deserved it. In my opinion we had five or six decent chances – good balls into the penalty area which we did not make the most of – before they scored.

“I thought we played the better all-round football, but then got exposed on the break, but it came good for us in the end. I thought we had an equaliser in us, but to score the winner in the last minute was fantastic.

“Matt Walters is a special player who has scored around 25 goals for us this season and he popped up with a great goal right at the end.

“Our supporters have stuck with us through the bad times, even when we went the whole season and didn’t win a game.

“We have had good support away from home all season and we must have had 150 fans here tonight. I think they are the best supporters in non-league football,” he added.