CLUB legend Paul Gazzard and goalkeeper coach Stewart Kearn were tonight named as the new joint-managers of Bashley following the departure of Frank Gray and Gerry Murphy.

The appointment came swiftly after Gray and Murphy had exited following Bashley’s announcement of a “dramatically reduced” playing budget for next season.

Gray, who said there was no managerial budget on offer, described as “unworkable” the level of provision available following Richard Millbery’s decision to stand down as chairman and admitted the writing was on the wall as soon as Bash’s alliance with neighbours New Milton had collapsed.

And the former Woking and Basingstoke boss also revealed that he had already thrown his hat into the ring for the vacancy at Conference Premier new boys Salisbury City, with Bash preparing to make cutbacks.

That led to Gazzard, who recently celebrated 10 years at Bashley Road, and Kearn being promoted to take the reins on a permanent basis.

Club officials acted quickly to promote the coaching duo without any input from Millbery, who felt it wouldn’t have been right for him to appoint a successor after taking a back seat.

Bash spent much of Gray’s solitary campaign in the bottom half of the Southern League Premier Division and were also knocked out of all four cup competitions at the first stage.

But despite feeling unable to lead the club next season, Gray insists there are no hard feelings.

Gray told the Daily Echo: “Richard has stepped away totally and there is little playing and no management budget for next season.

“It will be very limited and none of the current players will be available under those constraints.

“We have known about the situation for a while and Richard knew I applied for the Salisbury job. I know that everyone at the club is working hard but it will be a problem for them to replace the money. Things would have been a lot easier if the merger had gone ahead because there would have been more people prepared to back the club in that situation. It was unfortunate, but it didn’t happen and I had to leave.

“I have enjoyed my time at the club but after things changed over the past few days, I just didn’t see a way forward. I wish the club well and hope they come through this and progress to where they want to be in the future.”

Outgoing chairman Millbery said: “My job is finished and I have told the rest of the committee it is over to them. The budget will be dramatically reduced and things will be tough for Bashley.

“I will still be around but I will be standing right back until things are sorted out.”