TIVIDALE have confirmed that Phil Male has stepped down from his role as manager.

The club had been hoping Male would remain as first team boss next season despite relegation from Northern Premier League Division One South this term.

Malejoined the club in May 2015 along with Ross Thorpe as joint mangers after the resignation of Ian Long and the departure of the whole management team and playing squad at the end of the 2014-2015 season.

Thorpe left in December 2015 leaving Male to take up the role on his own.

However, after a difficult campaign he has now decided to move on.

He said: “I am grateful that I was given the opportunity to manage Tividale FC and I would like to thank them for the support I received from the officers, staff and players and wish them all the best in the future”

Football general manager Leon Murray said: “We would like to thank Phil for what he has done over the last season. He came here in very difficult circumstances and even though results were not always favourable his enthusiasm and commitment to Tividale FC has been undiminished and the players he has brought in he has moulded into a competitive squad. I have loved working with Phil and wish him all the best for the future”.

“I can also confirm that Tividale will start the search for a new manager with immediate effect."