FORMER manager Steve Edmondson has returned to Kendal Town as caretaker boss following the departure of Dave Foster.

The club released two statements last night, Thursday, the first announcing Foster's departure and the second advising that Edmonson was taking temporary charge with ex-player Craig Dootson acting as his assistant.

"We would like to thank Dave for all his hard work over the last few seasons and wish him all the best in the future," read the statement. 

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The news comes following a dramatic week at the relegation-threatened club which suffered a player exodus with 11 first team players including skipper Stuart McDonald heading for the exit door, stripping an already small squad to the bare bones with an Evo Stik League game at Radcliffe tomorrow, Saturday.

Club chairman George Gudgeon told The Westmorland Gazette on Wednesday that a full statement was being prepared by the club but Mr Gudgeon said he was unable to comment further on the situation at this stage.

The news of the departures broke on Tuesday evening, with sources claiming Jacob Davies, Gavin Clark, Billy Akrigg, Martin Grundy, Mark Buchan, Danny McGahon, Dan Shearwood and Ben Thomas have all joined McDonald in heading through the exit door.

And on Wednesday night Matt Clarke and keeper Stu Dixon followed.

Grundy and Buchan both appeared to confirm they have left by acknowledging good luck messages from Kendal Town Independent Supporters' Club left on the group's Facebook page.

The reasons for the timing of the mass exodus remain unclear but the news was greeted with dismay by the Independent Supporters' Club.

"We're angry with the situation and to be honest, we are sick of it," said Scott O'Callaghan, a lifelong supporter and former player.

"I've followed the club since I was a ball boy at the age of seven and I've never known things this bad."

Mr O'Callaghan said he was organising a protest march from the town centre to the stadium prior to the next home game against Glossop North End on Saturday, February 16, and urged fellow supporters to join them.

KTISC secretary Matt Tummey confirmed he will join the march, and Mr Tummey has also launched a petition on the group's Facebook page calling for Mr Gudgeon to leave Kendal Town.

"We feel a mixture of anger and frustration at the moment," he said.

"We all want the best for Kendal Town and we just want the club to be open and honest."

It is expected efforts will be made to bolster the team with new blood from the local area in time for the Radcliffe game, which the Mintcakes will start in second from bottom spot in the Evo Stik West table.

The club are four points behind 18th placed Glossop and though they have a game in hand, Town face an increasingly desperate to avoid a bottom two finish will see them relegated to the North West Counties League.