Spalding United part ways with manager

The decision comes despite the Tulips sitting third in the Pitching In NPL Midlands Division following Saturday’s goalless draw at home to Loughborough Dynamo.

Victory in their game in-hand would have seen them climb to within six points of current league leaders Stamford.

A strong start to the season meant they did not lose a game until early January.

They boasted the longest unbeaten run from the start of the season of any team in the top eight tiers of English football.

A penalty shootout victory over Cleethorpes Town also saw them reach the final of the Lincolnshire Senior Cup for the first time in three decades.

Since January’s 2-0 defeat to Cambridge City, the club’s form has dropped slightly, resulting in a sequence of four wins, two draws and two defeats in their last eight league matches.

On the decision, Spalding United chairman Andrew Killingsworth said: “I would like to thank Brett for all his efforts during his time at Spalding.

“He came in at a difficult time for the club, stabilised on the field and had a very good start to the season. This was a difficult decision but one we felt was right considering the challenges we have faced on the pitch since the new year.

“As a club we have aspirations to be very successful, continue to develop and this was a decision made in the best interest of the club going forward.”

Whaley has since expressed his surprise at the decision to relieve him of his duties.

“I’m obviously gutted to be sacked, sitting in such a good league position and with a cup final to look forward to,” he told Peterborough Today.

"We may have been a victim of our own success after our start, but it’s fair to say we were in a dip of form.

"Having nowhere to train has meant turning that form around has been extremely difficult, but I would never question the players' attitudes or that they weren’t giving me everything.

"The club obviously didn’t feel that was happening quick enough.”

Photo credit: Spalding United