ANDY Wyton has resigned as the manager of Cradley Town.

The Hammers ended the West Midlands Premier League season in 10th place after Wyton took sole charge mid-way through the campaign and guided the club well away from the dropzone.

Wyton joined Town at the start of the season as joint boss alongside Mark Jones but then took over on his own once Jones departed.

After enjoying a good second half to the season, Wyton asked for more financial support to continue player recruitment over the summer but resigned after having his request turned down following a meeting last week with the club's main sponsor Lee Farrington.

Wyton said: "I knew I'd be able to turn the club around because I've already proved I'm capable of doing that at this level. I thought I'd earned the support and believe I could have turned the team into promotion contenders with just a slightly better budget.

"Everything is heading in the right direction at the club now and I was told we'd have funds available. The academy that my assistant, Wayne Mundon, set up is flourishing and has 400 kids attending and we just want to keep moving forwards with the first team as well.

"I'd already identified the players I wanted to bring in but was told we couldn't do that."

Chairman Trevor Thomas said: "Andy wanted us to commit more money for next season and put certain things in place but it wasn't something we were able to do.

"We wish him all the best and wouldn't want to stand in his way. There will be a lot of other clubs that will be able to give him what he wants.

"This club is in a transitional period at the moment and I don't want to make promises that the club can't fulfil. We have to put our cards on the table and be honest.

"As much as it hurts, sometimes you have to take one step back to take two forward."

Thomas said the club is now on the lookout for a new boss and has already started discussions with candidates.