Tony Humes has today parted company with Colchester United.

The Essex club called a press conference this lunchtime, at the Weston Homes Community Stadium, during which it was confirmed that Humes had left.

Pressure had been mounting on Humes, following Tuesday night’s 3-2 home defeat to bottom club Crewe, when the U’s surrendered a 2-0 lead.

It was the U’s fourth league defeat on the trot, and their seventh in the last nine games.

U’s chairman Robbie Cowling said: “It’s no secret that Tony had been receiving a lot of flack from fans and some of it went too far.

“He felt that his presence was being detrimental to the young players coming through but in my eyes I don’t think he should have gone.

“For me, he will always be a legend at the club.”

For Saturday’s trip to Burton, Humes’ assistant Richard Hall and development manager John McGreal will be in charge, assisted by Wayne Brown.

Cowling went on to say that he didn’t expect to be appointing a new boss from outside the club.

He hopes to have someone installed permanently before Saturday week’s FA Cup game against Altrincham.