End of an era as Williams goes

Williams, pictured, and assistant manager Dave Campbell, left the Premier Division's Seasiders on Monday afternoon after four years at the helm as player-manager.

Appointed in October 2011 as the successor to Tommy Cassidy, Williams and his assistant left the Turnbull Ground with the Seasiders third from bottom having lost their last four league matches, the latest a 1-0 defeat at Mickleover Sports on Saturday.

Williams, who made over 200 appearances for Sunderland, mostly in the Premier League, kept the club up on the final day at Buxton in his first season in charge. In 2012-13 he steered the club to 12th spot and followed that with a ninth placed finish before finishing 13th last term.

The Seasiders expect to name a caretaker manager within days with whoever gets the nod facing Mickleover Sports in league action again this Saturday but this time at home.

In a statement announcing the departures on their website, the Seasiders said they regretted having to part company with their management team and wished them both well.

Whitby Town chairman Graham Manser said: "It was a great shame. Darren is a lovely lovely man and Dave Campbell has been a loyal servant for over 20 years but the club must come first and the committee felt that only gaining 14 points out of 63 was not good enough.

"The club wishes Daz and Cammy all the best for the future and thanks them for the past. They will always be welcome at the club."

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