Brazier leaves the Arriva Stadium

Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Marine have parted company with manager Phil Brazier.

The Premier Division’s Mariners announced on Wednesday night that Brazier had left the Arriva Stadium four days after the regular campaign ended.

Brazier, who took on his first managerial post last summer after serving previously as a player and assistant manager for four seasons during Kevin Lynch's reign, left the club by ‘mutual consent’ following a meeting with Chairman Paul Leary and Vice-Chairman Dave McMillan.

That was called after the Mariners finished in 20th spot, flirting with relegation following a disappointing run of results since the turn of the year. Early exits in this season’s FA Cup and FA Trophy competitions added to the club’s woes.

Marine Chairman Paul Leary said: "We had really wanted Phil to do well in his first managerial job. Unfortunately results have not been what he or the club wanted and in a meeting Phil and I agreed to call it a day.

"Phil has worked hard to try and turn the results around but unfortunately his efforts were in vain. This indeed is a sad day for me personally as Phil and I had a very good working relationship.

"I know that through his long association with Marine as a player, assistant manager and this season as our manager he clearly wanted to bring success to the Arriva Stadium.

"I would like to thank Phil and his back room staff for the hard work that they put in trying to do their best for Marine Football Club."

Leary is now looking ahead to finding and appointing the right manager to bring success next season after the club set a deadline for applications of Friday 9 May.

He added: "We now have to move on and plan for the new season ahead and we are therefore looking to appoint a new manager in the next few weeks.

"The recruitment process kicks off tonight and I am hopeful that the successful candidate will be the right manager to bring much needed success back to our club and begin an exciting new era for Marine Football Club."

The Mariners say applications from managers with the appropriate qualifications and experience should be sent to: Richard Cross, Secretary, Marine FC, Arriva Stadium, College Road, Crosby, Liverpool, L23 3AS. Alternatively, they should be emailed to: richard@marinefc.com.