Axminster Town have decided to withdraw their Reserves team from the Devon & Exeter League.

In a statement issued today, retiring chairman Andy Hurford said the club had been looking for a manager since Jamie Barfoot stepped down but with no avail.

Mr Hurford said: "There has been no response to our adverts and potential managers contacted declined the offer. 

"Our second team have struggled to field a side on a number of occasions with fines given for three matches we couldn't make, plus several players from the team have stated their intention of not playing in the new season. 

"I felt it wasn't right to contact managers of clubs whose names have been given to me as we need a lot of players to sign up and to put another club short of players is the wrong thing to do."

Mr Hurford said he was frustrated that local ex players have not stepped up to help the club, adding: " This is the second time in four years that we've had to withdraw the Reserves from the league and the decision has been made to focus on the first team and the newly-formed under 18s which have been accepted into the Somerset Floodlit League. 

"The youth is a big focus for Axminster Football Club and next season with the under 16s and under 18s we intend to guide them to adult football and reform a second team when they and the club are ready."

Axminster first team, managed by Dan Prettejohn, compete in the South West Peninsular League Premier East Division and this season finished in sixth place, their highest position to date.

The new under 18 side will be managed by Sam Dibling who has just returned from Paris with the Under 13 side competing for the Europa Cup

LOOK OUT FOR PHILIP EVANS' ONE-ON-ONE INTERVIEW WITH FIRST TEAM MANAGER DAN PRETTEJOHN