Big Ron leaves Halesowen

Ron Atkinson has left Halesowen Town after less than three months as football consultant.

Yeltz manager Morell Maison today confirmed the departure of the 68-year-old but insisted he remains 'a good friend of mine and a good friend of the club.'

Atkinson arrived at The Grove in a blaze of publicity in October as the highest-profile figure in the takeover by a consortium led by Maison.

Check out our video of the moment Big Ron arrived at Halesowen by clicking here

But the manager today admitted that the club cannot afford a football consultant for the time being.

Maison said: "Ron came as a consultant when I took over to see if there was anything he could offer in terms of experience.

"We worked successfully together at Kettering and we were hoping to work together in a similar way here at Halesowen.

"But at Kettering Ron had a defined role. He was director of football and the club were in a position to pay him for his services.

"At this point Halesowen Town is not at a stage where we are able to do that.

"So in terms of Ron being football consultant then, yes, he has left the club.

"But he remains a good friend of mine and a good friend of the club and I know if I ever need to call on 'the big man' then he will be there to help me."