OUTGOING manager Steve May pointed the finger at some of New Milton Town’s players as he fired a parting shot following his Fawcett’s Field exit.

May and co-boss Darran Atkins saw their brief and troubled spell at the helm come to an end when Linnets lost their basement battle against Brading Town.

May reported that he and Atkins had resigned on Saturday after failing to muster any points from their opening six Wessex League matches. The club, meanwhile, wished to describe the departure as by “mutual agreement”.

The duo took charge in the summer but failed to guide the team away from the foot of the table – conceding no fewer than 27 goals in the process.

But May felt he had not been helped by a lack of commitment.

May, a veteran goalkeeper who was forced to name himself on the bench as an outfield player against Brading, told the Daily Echo: “I wouldn’t have taken on the job if I didn’t think we could turn it round.

“But some senior players have really let us down in terms of their commitment to training and turning up to games.

“We played Alton on Tuesday and we won in the Hampshire Senior Cup. But we had to start a 16-year-old and have another 16-year-old on the bench because players let me down in the last few hours.”

May, who cited a small budget as one of the major difficulties of his reign, insisted he had no sour grapes and wished the club all the best.

After goals from Kyle Levrier (2), Giancarlo Giancovich and Richard Sprooles condemned Milton to a sixth consecutive defeat, May added: “I feel very let down by the players, certainly some of the senior players. I am very disappointed.”

Linnets secretary Richie Phippard, who will help run the team until a new manager is appointed, said: “The table doesn’t lie. We are bottom of the league.

“I know we won on Tuesday in the Hampshire Senior Cup, which was a good result, but our league form has been really poor.

“I would like to thank Steve and Darran for what they did but it has just not worked out for them.

“When we employed them we felt they were the best applicants for the job with the best to offer, but unfortunately it hasn’t worked out how we, and probably how they, would have hoped.”

Linnets are now looking for a new manager and while they will consider any candidates, they are keen to hear from someone with experience of the local football scene.

For further information on the vacancy, contact Richie Phippard on 07515 775442.