SCREWFIX PREMIER DIVISION: THE pressure got too much for Devizes Town manager Dave Hopkins this week when he resigned his post.

He said yesterday: "Some of the players had lost their commitment and we didn't get commitment from fans.

"It was a joke. Only the same old few were coming along. It became more and more frustrating.

"The committee wasn't committed enough on the budgets for me and I felt it was the right thing to do to leave and concentrate on my football."

The 31-year-old took over as player-manager at the end of last season following Pete Tripp's resignation.

The club survived a summer of turmoil when chairman Chris Belcher was thrown out.

With a new committee and management team this season was hailed as a rebirth of Devizes Town Football Club.

But Hopkins was increasingly frustrated with player and fan apathy and said the final straw was the committee's lack of commitment over a playing budget for next season.

He resigned on Tuesday and assistant manager Sean Moffatt was made caretaker boss and will take the team to Odd Down on Saturday.

"Because there was no relegation in the league this season it was a non- entity," Hopkins said.

"I'd got the team together, cut the pitch, cleaned the dressing rooms and even sorted out shirt sponsors," he said.

"It was a lot of hard work behind the scenes for not much return. I don't mean financially. I was putting my all in and not getting enough support. I just want to play football now."

He also made the decision out of consideration for his family.

"It was unfair on my wife and young son because I was on the phone all the time sorting out football matters."

Hopkins has also cut his playing ties with the club. He has had offers to play for Westbury, Calne and Bemerton but will be turning out for Pewsey Vale this weekend.

He said: "It is upsetting to leave because it's my home team and I've had a lot of good times there.

"But unfortunately when a player-manager decides to resign he can't stay at the club and play because it's awkward. I am not ruling out returning next season but I just don't know.

"Football management is a thankless task, although it is good that I've been there because I now understand how hard it is."

Devizes chairman Phil Rossiter said he accepted Hopkins' decision and wished him well for the future.

He said: "Dave found it increasingly difficult to motivate the players. At some training sessions as little as nine were turning up."

Caretaker boss Moffatt is planning to use more of the club's youngsters to get some pride back at the club.

Former manager Brian Newlands was linked to the Devizes vacancy but he immediately ruled himself out.