A TEARFUL Roy Evans said quitting Town had been just as difficult as turning his back on 35 years with Liverpool.

The former director of football struggled to keep his emotions in check as he said goodbye to the players at the club's Wanborough training ground yesterday.

Evans said he had been having doubts about his role for a couple of months.

He said: "It's been an agonising decision.

"Once you start a job you want to take it forward and try and succeed.

"I had a three-year contract. It would have been easy to sit here and take the money but sometimes you have to be honest and stick by your principles.

"If I don't feel I can take the club forward, on the playing side, then I think it would be wrong to stay.

"The board have been very straightforward and honest in terms of questions I've asked them.

"Clearly there isn't the money there at the moment for players and probably won't be until the finances have been sorted out.

"The club needs stability. At the end of the day, I'm making it worse in some ways. If I had hung around for a longer period and created more uncertainty then I would have been doing the wrong thing."

Evans said he would never forget the welcome he had received in Wiltshire.

"The people of Swindon have been different class.

"I'll miss the day-to-day stuff with the lads and the backroom staff have been terrific.

"The players have listened, done what has been asked of them and there is no doubt that they have the ability.

"It's also been fun and that's important.

"Being at Swindon Town has been a great experience. I left Liverpool after 35 years, which was difficult for me, but this has been just as difficult.

"It was quite emotional, saying goodbye to the players, but life goes on."

Evans said players, staff and supporters had made it a largely enjoyable four-and-a-half months.

He said a lot had been made of the 'Roy Evans' factor but it was a team effort.

"It hasn't just been about me. Malcolm Crosby is an experienced guy and knows the job inside out.

"Razor is on the learning curve but he's a great personality and terrific in terms of getting the lads up for the occasion.

"You've a great little partnership there and there are others like Buzzer (youth team coach Viv Busby) to help if need be.

"If they work together I'm sure they can keep the lads going and help them progress.

"I certainly don't think things need changing much on the coaching side."

Evans said the role of chief executive Pete Rowe should not be forgotten during the past, troubled weeks.

He said: "All credit to Peter. It's been a difficult period and I've appreciated his support."

Evans' departure does not mean he will sever all his ties with the club.

"But I'll be down to buy the boys a drink in the new year and of course I'll be there to watch when they come north to play,'' he added.

"This is a smashing little club, I've said that from day one.

"It deserves better than it's had in the past."

As for the future, a holiday in the sun and a few rounds of golf are the priorities for Evans. However, he has refused to rule out a return to management.

He said: "There's certainly nothing in the pipeline but you have to deal with each situation on its merits."