Glenn Snell admitted that he had exhausted his contacts book, after leaving as Whitton United manager by mutual consent.

Snell, who was assistant manager to Paul Bugg when Whitton won the Thurlow Nunn Division One title and Suffolk Senior Cup in 2014, leaves the club bottom of the Premier Division, ahead of today’s home game with local rivals, Ipswich Wanderers.

Snell took over from Bugg on an interim basis in the summer ‘to try and help the club out of the situation it was in’, however, a raft of player departures, including last season’s top four goalscorers – Ethan Clarke, Miles Powell, Allicion Blake and Chris Williams – have ensured an uphill struggle this season.

United have lost their last seven games in the league, including a 7-0 hammering at Swaffham on December 19, and Snell said the time was right to leave, although he insisted that the decision of both parties was not results-based.

“We have left on really good terms,” said Snell, yesterday.

“When I took the job as interim manager, it was to stay and help the club out of the situation it was in. In an ideal world, I would have left with Paul (Bugg)

“But players have departed the club and it’s been very tough, although I will say I am not leaving because of results and the club is not getting rid of me because of results either.

“I have used all my contacts up and the club is probably stuck in a rut and I don’t want to see it in that situation.

“Myself and the committee got together and everything was absolutely fine and it’s not as though I stuck around for five minutes.

“I must have tried 100 different contacts (to come and play for Whitton) and I have used everyone.”

While several players left, stalwarts such as Liam Jones, Robbie Knott and Scott Marjoram did remain at the club and are battling to keep United in the league.

Snell is grateful to those players that have remained but admits the departure of so many team-mates is likely to have had a negative effect.

“After four years the players were still with me, but the whole club probably got a bit stale and that’s no one individual’s fault,” added Snell.

“We were probably let down a bit by the players who left and I have been trying to get players in from Ipswich, but it’s difficult when you are competing with Wanderers, Hadleigh and Felixstowe.

“I am not saying we didn’t compete financially but no player wants to go to a club that is struggling.

“That must be difficult for the players that stayed at the club. I am not having a go at anyone, but when they see players leaving hand over fist, it’s bound to have a negative effect.

“I have been feeling down and, as players, when you are losing games, you feel everything is going against you.”

Snell will be replaced by Ipswich Town academy coach Duncan Wheeler, 24, a former Woodbridge Town youth coach.

“I love the club but we are bottom of the league and that is the toughest thing to take,” confessed Snell.

“I think it’s the right time to leave and hopefully a new manager can bring a new vibe to the club.”