FRUSTRATED Ant Brown says he was fighting an uphill battle this season after bringing his spell as Calne Town manager to an end.

The 34-year-old succeeded Jeff Roberts as Calne manager midway through last season but following discussions with the Town committee after Saturday’s defeat at Oldland Abbotonians, called time on his 13-year association with the Lilywhites.

Simon Gardner, boss of the club’s second string Wilts Calne Town, has been placed in caretaker charge but Brown left with a heavy heart.

“I wasn’t able to make the (Oldland) game but arranged for someone else to take the team. That person then couldn’t make it themselves and we had three players pull out on Friday night and another next morning,” said Brown, who was previously U18s boss.

“By all accounts, the players were all pretty frustrated about it but I did everything I could to organise things and it would have been no different if I’d been there at the game. There’s nothing you can do about people pulling out.

“I offered my resignation but I’m pretty frustrated that it came to that.

“It’s been a really difficult season so far with us losing all of our first team and it doesn’t help when we’re giving lads the chance to play Western League football but last Wednesday, only four turn up for training because they’d rather play in a friendly for a Sunday team.

“But I wish everyone at the club all the best because I’ve been there for 13 years. It’s hard to walk away but maybe there’ll be a chance to go back to Calne in the future.”

Club secretary Shaun Smith told the Gazette & Herald the post would be advertised and paid tribute to Brown, saying: “We are extremely grateful to Ant for the time, effort and dedication he’s put into supporting Calne Town. We’re eternally grateful to him.

Anyone interested in the manager’s role can contact Smith at skevsmith@gmail.com.

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