BLUEBIRDS former commercial manager Sue Evans has spoken of her bitter disappointment at being made to leave the club.

Evans, the club's commercial manager for 18 months, was made redundant last week.

The 48-year-old worked as commercial manager at Bath City before moving to Hardenhuish in 2002.

She said although she did not have a proper contract she felt she was entitled to two weeks' notice.

Evans said: "I am going into hospital this week but I would only have been off for a maximum of two weeks. Maybe they were worried they would have to pay me while I wasn't there. I was absolutely shocked and devastated by the news."

Evans felt the sponsorship money she was bringing into Hardenhuish was more than justifying her role at the club. "I had already brought in more for the club this year in sponsorship and donations than in the whole of last season," she said.

"I enjoyed job and loved seeing things through, looking after sponsors and keeping people informed. I'm devastated and I felt rotten. I wasn't given any notice and I only had a half hour to clear my desk.

"I knew times were hard but I never thought they would do that to me because I was bringing in more than I was earning. I wouldn't have minded if they'd ask me to go part time but they didn't give me that option."

Chippenham Town chairman Malcolm Lyus said the decision to make Evans redundant had been purely for financial reasons.

"It was very sad to see her go but the money she was brining in over the last three months was the same as what was going on her," he said. "A commercial person is a lifeline to any club and this was the last thing we wanted to do. But we have to be cost efficient and we had no choice.

"The directors will take on the commercial work now. We have had some great times here and now it is necessary for us all to take on a little bit more work."

Evans is confident she will soon bounce back and secure a new job. "I liked the public relations side of it at Chippenham and I loved getting kids involved with competitions and being mascots," she said. "I would like to do a similar role with another team although it doesn't have to be football.

"I just want to use my skills. It is a different form of selling to encourage people to put hands in pockets.

"Two people have contacted me about work so far. One is a football club and the other a new sporting complex in the county."

She continued: "I would like to say a thank you to the supporters and sponsors and I would also like to wish Steve all the best with the team.''