SCREWFIX PREMIER DIVISION: ALI Belcher has left cash-strapped Devizes Town by mutual consent after becoming the scapegoat for fans unhappy with the way his father Chris is running the Screwfix Direct Premier Division club.

The 33-year-old was handed the role of assistant manager at Nursteed Road when Pete Tripp took over the reins from Ray Baverstock in December, but the alliance proved less than happy .

The club have rumoured debts of around £35,000 and some supporters were angry Belcher had been given a paid position at the club by his father.

He was singled out for abuse by a section of the home support during the 2-0 defeat at the hands of Bath City Reserves on March 8 and left the club after talks with Tripp last week.

Belcher admitted life at Devizes has become increasingly strained for him given the club's recent struggles both on and off the pitch.

He said: "My dad's troubles tended to fall on me as well with results not going right and it got more difficult by the game. Possibly I was made a scapegoat. But it wasn't my side of the ship.

"I've always done the football side and got on with it. But when people started getting personal I took umbrage to it.

"My dad still being there makes it difficult for me. There was too much baggage. I had a good time at the club apart from the last three months and it was a shame."

The former Frome Town boss admitted Tripp had done little to persuade him to stay and help the club avoid relegation back into the First Division.

He said: "I felt Pete Tripp left me with no option, to be fair. But I won't be seen to have sour grapes. It just didn't work out between the two of us."

Belcher also believes supporters were wrong to take exception to the fact that he received money to assist Tripp with his first team duties. He said: "I drove down there three times a week from Trowbridge and was on the phone for half and hour every night, so I would end up in arrears. You don't make anything out of it."

Belcher was handed the assistant manager's post after three years as reserve team boss. He led the Devizes second string to the final of the Corsham Print Cup and they regularly finished as the top reserve side in the Wiltshire League.

He said: "I enjoyed working with the players and had a good relationship with all of them, particularly the reserves. But I think since Christmas it has been the most difficult job I have ever been in.

"We were struggling to attract players and results haven't gone with us. We were taking one step back to take one step forward. There are only a couple of months left now and I am looking towards next season. It is a matter of finding the right job for me."

Tripp confirmed he will be working alone for the final ten games of the campaign. Devizes are currently languishing in the Premier Division relegation zone and have won only once in the league since October.

Said Tripp: "I don't think I will appoint anyone else at the moment because it can cloud your judgement. I want to get the last ten games out of the way, see where we end up and then be judged on what we do next season."

Devizes chairman Chris Belcher was unavailable for comment over his son's exit as he currently on holiday abroad.

Secretary Roy King stressed Ali's departure did not come as a result of any disagreement with club officials.

Said King: "He left of his own accord. He has done a great two years service for the club and has worked very hard.

"He rang me up to say he had left. We have not fallen out with him at all. He definitely wasn't sacked.

"I don't know what agreement Pete Tripp and Ali Belcher made. As first team manager, Pete Tripp is responsible for all of the managers at lower levels and his decision is final."