KENDAL Town Football Club's Manager Michael Stringfellow and his assistant Iain Swan have resigned from their positions with immediate effect.

It is the latest blow for the Mintcakes, who have also lost 11 first team players in the last two weeks following the resignation of former Chairman Haydon Munslow on December 4.

Stringfellow, who was half way through his second season at the club, said he would love to return to the Pye Motors Stadium but the financial restraints currently in place have made his position untenable. 

He said: "We just felt it was really difficult to continue. I feel that the things we were promised at the start of the season haven't been delivered and it's time to part ways.

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"This is not a decision we have taken easily but we're struggling to get 11 players out there - how can we compete with that?"

Since Mr Munslow announced that the club was reducing its budget earlier this month, captain Criag Carney has joined Lancaster City FC, star striker Jordan Connerton has been transfer listed, Rob Wilson and Aaron Taylor have been snapped-up by Workington Town FC, Chris Smalley has secured a place in Stockport County's team, Tom Smyth is now at FC United of Manchester and Tom Kilifin has also joined Lancaster City.

Mike Aspin, Alex Randall and Danny Wilkins have also left the club and goalkeeper Tom Morgan and Gary Hunter, both of whom signed for Kendal Town just over two weeks ago, are no longer on the books.

Mr Stringfellow, who is believed to have announced his decision to the playing staff and Acting Chairman George Gudgeon after last night's training session, said: "It's really difficult to see where the future of the club is. The frustrating thing is we're in a great position in the league.

"We should have been made aware of the changes to the budget because we were signing players just weeks before it got cut.

"You build a relationship with players - we sold Kendal Town FC to them. The players came from clubs where they were doing well and were successful. 

"What I've told them about the club is undermined by all this - we owe it to players to be honest with them."

However, Stringfellow and Swan are not ruling-out a possible return to the touchline.

Stringfellow said: "Never say never. We would love to come back to the club at some point but the budget has been cut so much it's going to be difficult. 

"The club needs something to kick it on and we have to be able to compete at this level.

"We would be interested in coming back at some point. I have never been involved in a club like it - the volunteers and supporters are great and that's what initially drew us to it.

"If supporters are paying money they want to see a club that's doing well."

Acting Chairman George Gudgeon released the following statement:

"First team management team Michael Stringfellow and Iain Swan have announced their resignation from Kendal Town Football Club with immediate effect.

"After a long discussion with Michael and their reasons for leaving the club Kendal Town FC have accepted his resignation with a deep sadness.

"The club would like to thank Michael and Iain for all their hard work and service they have given the club during their period in office. We would also like to wish them all the best in the future.

"Michael and Iain leave the club in 11th place in the Evo-stik North.

"The club have already started work to find a suitable replacement for Michael Stringfellow.

"Gary Fawcett, our Uner-23 manager will take the team on Saturday vs Trafford.

"All I would ask is the community supports Gary on Saturday as I will be."

A supporters' meeting has now been called and will take place at the Pye Motors Stadium on Saturday, December 19.

If the match against Trafford is cancelled, suitable arrangements will be made - interested parties should monitor Kendal Town's website and Faceook page for details.