STEVE Potts has resigned as manager of Felixstowe and Walton United - and he says that he was left with no option.Potts lifted Felixstowe out of the Ridgeons League, First Division - leading them to 13th in the top flight in 2006/7 and eighth last season.

Elvin King

STEVE Potts has resigned as manager of Felixstowe and Walton United - and he says that he was left with no option.

Potts lifted Felixstowe out of the Ridgeons League, First Division - leading them to 13th in the top flight in 2006/7 and eighth last season.

“I asked the chairman and committee for confirmation of their support,” said Potts. “Their response was more negative than I had hoped for. I was put in a position where I had no option than to resign, which is what I have done this week.”

Potts, who enjoyed great success at Metaltec SIL Grundisburgh before joining Felixstowe in June 2005, stresses that he has no regrets and holds no grudges with the Dellwood Avenue-based club.

“Football is a results-driven business,” he added. “And when I spoke to the chairman we had just lost six league games on the trot.

“We beat CRC on Saturday, but we are the wrong end of the table, and made early exits from the FA Cup and the FA Vase, competitions that can bring in considerable extra wealth.”

But Potts expressed his concern that the progress he made might not be maintained. He continued: “I hope Felixstowe do not go backwards now. They were staring the Metaltec SIL in the face twice finishing third from bottom of the Ridgeons League Division One before my arrival.

“I am not bitter and wish Felixstowe well, although it will be interesting to see how many of today's players are still at the club in a few months' time.

“I have left them with some top class players and I had faith in their ability.”

Potts admits that his main consideration was the first team, and that he did not take a big interest in the reserves and youth sides.

“And the credit crunch may have played a part - with gates down and a wage bill to pay,” said Potts. “There was interest in my position before I resigned and now that I have gone I hope that Felixstowe make the right choice.

“Football goes on, and I say good luck to Felixstowe. Having spent the last 40 years in a dressing room on Saturday afternoons there is a likelihood that this will continue. But there might be a lengthy rest period in-between for me.”

Potts' deputy, Neil Smye, will take charge of this Saturday's league game at Leiston.

Tony Barnes, the Felixstowe chairman, today said: “I'd like to pay tribute to all Steve's work for the club since June 2005 and can confirm that I could not give him the backing he requested.”