Rovers boss resigns after '˜losing the fight' to continue

The Sharpenhoe Road side have endured a tough season to date, sitting in 18th place in the Southern League Division One Central, with just eight league wins all term before Saturday’s 3-2 triumph at St Ives Town.

On the reasons behind his resignation, Reed said: “I’ve resigned as first team manager of Barton Rovers FC as on the back of a run of indifferent results, I have finally lost the fight to carry on.

“It has been a grind for most of the season and a really hard job to keep going week in week out.

“We’ve not scored enough goals and have let in some really poor goals week after week.

“The players need a different voice as there are blatantly players in the dressing room that didn’t want to play for me”

Barton’s chairman Darren Whiley who guided the team to Saturday’s win, added: “Management at this level of football is an immensely hard and time consuming job.

“Jon had struggled to attract quality players to enhance the squad and as such had lost the respect of some of the players.

“At that point it was a no win situation and I accepted Jon’s resignation on Tuesday. We will not be advertising for the job as we have spoke to several targets that we would like to bring in.

“This appointment will be for the good of the club’s long term future. To be fighting near the bottom this season after making the play off finals last season is a complete travesty for all at the club.

“We thank Jon Reed whole-heartedly for his time and effort this season, that book is now closed, we move on and upward. I hope to be in a position to reveal next season’s manager in the next few days.”