ANDY Darnton has this afternoon resigned as co-manager of Bashley having described as “untenable” his position at the New Forest outfit.

The summer appointment stepped down having received a text message from fellow joint-boss Graham Speechley-Price – husband of chairman Angela Speechley-Price – stating that Bash had started searching for a manager who could bring “finance and players” into the club.

Darnton told the Daily Echo: “I don’t know if they have anyone lined up but it put me in an untenable position and I resigned with immediate effect.

“It’s a shame because operating on a zero budget at this level is nigh on impossible. We had built a decent squad and I believe we would have been mid-table side had we been able to find even some expenses for the players.

“I managed Andover and Winchester City on very low budgets and have a good knowledge of what was needed to compete at this level.”

He continued: “To say I was disappointed with how it happened (being told via text message) would be a massive understatement, especially considering Bashley approached me to come over here in the first place.

“Graham and I sometimes had differing opinions on players but that is part and parcel of football and happens within all management teams.

“I have received a lot of kind text messages from the players and I wish all of them and the club all the best but it is sad that it has had to end this way.”

Graham Speechley-Price confirmed that he had been informed of the club’s intentions and that he had passed on the information to his colleague.

“Clubs at this level need investment and it wouldn’t take a lot to really take Bashley forward,” said Speechley-Price. “Andy decided he didn’t want to work under those circumstances which I could understand.

“I’ll soldier on. It may be that the club don’t find anyone but if someone becomes available I’ll happily step aside.”

Speechley-Price also revealed that Nick Ferguson had left Bashley’s committee due to increased travel commitments.

Meanwhile, Bashley are offering free entry to their Southern League Division One South & West showdown with fellow strugglers Wantage Town tomorrow.

The turnstiles at their Bashley Road headquarters will be open to all spectators – with no restrictions or strings attached to the generous offer (3pm).

Midfielder Chris Hall and striker Nuno Pereira are both back in contention as Bash go in search of only their second win of the season.

Third-bottom Wantage are one place and three points ahead of the New Forest outfit.

Bash: (from) Maher, Morse, Bada, Petty, Thoroughgood, Morris, L Speechley-Price, Aurow, Makoni, M Speechley-Price, Brading, Rose, Coombes, Dugdale, Bosma, Hopkins. Hall, Pereira.