GORNAL Athletic are again searching for a new manager after Brendon Wilkinson was forced to leave the role due to ill health.

Wilkinson was appointed at the start of June but has now stepped down without taking charge of a single game for the Peacocks.

He was joined at Garden Walk by assistant Craig Love and coaches Mike Roberton and Dan Crudgington following last season's departure of former boss Matt Fisher.

Wilkinson had already started his pre-season preparations before an on-going back issue became more severe.

He said: "I'm gutted to be honest. It was a big chance for me to manage in Saturday football and everything was going really well.

"It's a problem I've had for years. I've got spondylitis but it has got worse and I'm on pain killers and need to have a scan. I had no choice but to step down for health reasons."

The club are now searching for a replacement in time for the new campaign.

Chairman Lee Farrington said: "It has come as a bit of a shock but we'll take stock and look to sort it as soon as we can.

"We will have a look at what we have at the club internally and can hopefully sort it quickly.

"Our plan is to name someone at the start of next week. We wanted to be challenging for promotion this season and hopefully this won't disrupt those plans."