Boss in shock departure

Stafford Rangers manager Phil Robinson has left the club after more than five and a half years in the post.

The former Wolves player said in a statement released before today's crunch home match against Northwich, that he was going woth the mutual consent of the board.

The club has had a bad start to the season and has been plunged into a cash crisis because of low gates due to the poor results, a glut of away games and an early exit from the FA Cup.

Robinson said: "I am desperately sad to leave the players behind and ask the Rangers fans to get behind them for the rest of the season, as they need you all.

"Perhaps on some future occasions I may well join you on the terraces cheering on my home town team, supporting the lads and any future manager.

"I ask the fans for their understanding in what was an incredibly difficult decision for me, but more importantly I want to thank them for their loyal support.

"They have made me feel so immensely proud to manage their team.

"It would give me great pleasure, perhaps some time in the future, to do so again should circumstances allow."

The board of directors, who also issued a statement, said they were sad to see Phil go and wished him all the best for the future.

The directors said that the main priority now was to find a new manager as quickly as possible.

"A caretaker coach will be appointed and the situation will be monitored over the next few weeks whilst we look for a replacement.

"We will continue to use any spare cash flow we have in the pursuit of strengthening the team.

"As we said last week we have an extremely difficult task ahead of us both on and off the pitch but are determined to try and maintain our position in the Blue Square premier."