COLIN Bush admitted the decision to split up his successful partnership with Tommy Saunders had been a painful one, but believes the Bluebirds boss will continue to succeed with without him.

Bush was unveiled as Corsham Town's new manager on Monday after a week of intense speculation over his future, and walked away from his nine-year managerial partnership with Saunders after Saturday's defeat at Halesowen.

The pair have tasted unparalleled success at Chippenham over the past five years, steering the once unfashionable Bluebirds to back-to-back promotions and an FA Vase final appearance at Wembley three years ago.

Saunders and Bush also worked wonders at Calne Town in the mid-1990s, helping the Bremhill View outfit into the upper echelons of the Screwfix Direct League.

But Bush has now decided to call-time on the partnership in order to manage his home town club, who are currently four divisions below Chippenham in the non-league pyramid.

He said: "It has been a gut-wrenching decision. I've had five tremendous years at Chippenham and just felt it was time for a new challenge.

"The partnership between myself and Thomas has been unbelievable. What we have achieved will never be bettered in such a short space of time.

"Our achievements have bonded us, and there is nothing to say our paths won't cross again in the future and we won't work together again.

"Thomas has such a bright future and has driven Chippenham to the state it is in now. His record in these parts is second to none and, with a bit of luck and good timing, you never know what jobs might come up for him."

Saunders is sorry to see Bush go, and was due to meet ex-Cinderford boss Chris Smith over the vacant assistant manager's job yesterday.

Said Saunders: "I've lost my best mate in football. I'd trust him with my life. In ten years we've never even come close to having a cross word."

Bush has recruited former Chippenham stalwart John Woods as his player-coach at The Southbank, with John Lock as first team physio and John Bolland as liaison officer.

Said Bush: "We'll be trying to keep the nucleus of players together. Corsham have fine facilities, a nice pitch, and it all we need to do is get a useful team together. In will be working to bring players in who want to give it their all."