DEVIZES Town boss Mark Godley has walked out on the club, after blaming the club's committee for their lack of support.

Godley, 40, said he was prepared to work for Devizes for free but found the financial constraints too tight to be able to continue.

Chairman Phil Rossiter and the committee decided to implement performance-related pay for the coming season which means the manager will only receive the full £300 weekly budget if the team win. Godley was not happy with the new directive and handed in his resignation.

He has denied making any application for the vacant Melksham job yet, but said if the right job was to come along he would consider it.

Godley said he was sad to leave Nursteed Road. "It was a huge disappointment for John Freegard (assistant manager) and I to make that decision but, ironically, we felt it was a simple one,'' he said.

"When we met with the chairman and the vice chairman 15 months ago we set out our ideas of how we wanted to move the club forward.

"The first year was all about stability improving the training and hopefully adapting or trying to adapt to a more professional approach to give us a position to build from.

"Year two was about moving the club on and keeping the playing squad, maybe bringing in two or three more players with experience to take us to mid-table to top seven.

"It came as a massive shock that not only were no further funds available but the budget was actually cut by a third. We had no indication this was going to be the case."

Godley said he was actually offered more funds after Easter but had turned them down.

"We had performed poorly and put ourselves into the relegation zone when I took a call from the chairman asking me if we need more funds to get a couple more players.

"I thanked him but declined because I felt the squad we had was capable of keeping our league status.

"I think I have shown more than enough commitment and I want the players to know that. Ultimately I have a group of players that seem sorry John and I are leaving.

"From myself and John's point of view it was equally disappointing that there did not seem to be any effort to keep us at the club so one wonders whether there was another agenda."

The Devizes board have decided to offer a smaller budget with additional cash available as incentives for performances. Chairman Rossiter said it was a step the board had to take due to the club's finances.

"We are to start the season with this budget and if things are going well the manager would be rewarded. Mark would not have got anything less," he said. "It's a shame for him because I think the work he put in was very positive. They are very nice professional working chaps and I was disappointed personally."

Godley said he was looking forward to joining up with the squad again at the club's presentation evening on Friday. "I have spoken amicably with Phil and fully intend on being at the presentation evening. We have no issues with anybody only disappointment," he said.

Rossiter on the other hand is now looking for a new manager. "I think it is a nice opportunity for some who fancies a step up. We have a good youth set up and there are finances available," he said.

Anyone interested in sitting in the Devizes dugout next season can contact Rossiter on (01380) 724630.