ROY EVANS has quit the County Ground after deciding he cannot fulfil his dream of taking Swindon Town onwards and upwards.

The director of football spoke to the Evening Advertiser this morning to confirm the news that fans have been dreading.

The former Liverpool boss has been in charge at the County Ground for less than five months but has decided it is pointless going on due to financial instability.

After meeting with Willie Carson and Bob Holt yesterday, both parties agreed to go their separate ways.

The pair told Evans the financial position was far worse than they had anticipated.

And with no funds available now or in the near future, Evans decided to call it a day.

Although clearly gutted at seeing his hopes dashed of reviving the club's fortunes, the former director of football remains philosophical.

He said: "It has been a very difficult decision for me. I have had a fabulous time. The fans, players and staff at Swindon Town have made me feel very welcome.

He said: "It is not the end of the world. Basically the Robins have a sound squad and the ability to do well in the Second Division.

"I wish them every success for the future. I will always remember my stay with fond memories and will keep an eye out for their result on a Saturday."

Evans arrived with player-coach Neil Ruddock on August 3, just two days after the sacking of ex-Town boss Andy King.

He had been out of football for three years but the vision laid out by Danny Donegan was enough to tempt him back.

The manager said that there would be no instant 'miracles' but his appointment rekindled optimism among supporters.

The team made a steady start to the season, rising as high as 10th, and playing an attractive brand of football.

All this was achieved with no money for new players, with Donegan asking Evans to make the most of what he had before funds would be released after Christmas.

The director of football certainly kept his part of the bargain, but question marks about his future began to surface when the present board began its challenge to force out messrs Donegan and Blatchley.

A High Court decision on November 5 saw the pair ousted leaving Evans and chief executive Pete Rowe to 'babysit' the club through to this month's EGM.

Both men carried out that task but Evans made little secret of the fact that it would need some serious cash and commitment to persuade him to stay.

There is no doubt he has enjoyed the challenge of trying to revive Town's fortunes but he was unwilling to work with one or both hands tied behind his back indefinitely.

However the Willie Carson-led board has been adamant from day one that there simply is not the money available to bring in new players before the end of the current campaign.

But for all that, Evans' departure is unlikely to go down well with supporters.

Thoughts, inevitably, now turn to the manager's successor.

With money tight and continuity surely a 'must', the favoured option would appear to be the appointment of Malcolm Crosby to the manager's post, at least until the end of the season.

The Adver understands that that is the recommendation put forward to the board by Evans before his departure.

Razor Ruddock's position remains unclear although he is unlikely to make a hasty decision, possibly with the carrot of Crosby's No 2 on offer.