Brantham Athletic have insisted the reason to part company with player-manager Pip Boyland and his assistant Alex Drennan was purely down to results, and nothing to do with any player upset with wage reductions.

Nub News understands some first team players became unhappy with deductions made from the base salary, in accordance with club policy, but not as they understood the amounts to be paid when signing for Brantham.

Brantham seek new manager after parting company with Pip Boyland...

One recent signing Jack Baker, who joined Brantham after a pay dispute at Hadleigh United, has now quit the Imps and is understood to be one of the players affected in the dispute at the Leisure Centre ground.

Boyland, would not go into details regarding the players' concerns regarding deductions from wages, but admitted the situation became untenable when a number of players reported 'injuries' or became unavailable after being left unhappy with the off pitch situation.

He said: As a managerial team I believe we have duty and responsibility to look after the players we brought to the club

"Without going into it, the situation became untenable."

Boyland added: "Alex and I want to that all the supporters, players and people at the club that were extremely supportive.

"I want to especially thank Peter Crowhurst and Darren Smith for giving me the opportunity to manage Brantham in the first place.

"Pete was an amazing chairman to work with. His knowledge, loyalty and understanding was incredible. I learnt so much from him and it was a pleasure to work with him."

Brantham split with their managerial team following the Imps's under strength team going down 3-0 at Downham Town, their fourth defeat in a row, leaving them 15th in the table.

Prior to that sequence, their 3-0 win over Soham Town Rangers was part of a run with seven wins and three draws in 12 games.

Darren Smith Brantham Athletic's vice chairman, denied there were any issues with player wages and the decision taken came after that poor run of results.

Smith said in a statement to Nub News: "The club at the weekend following the defeat away to Downham Town FC and in light of recent performances and results, decided following a discussion with our first team management to mutually agree to part ways.

"The club have placed on record our sincere thanks to Pip who we were delighted to be able to offer him his first managerial experience and we are genuinely sorry that we were not able to continue together. But as at every level of football, it is a results business and with us sitting below mid table in the league, it is the right decision to allow a new management team time to bed in before the season ends."

"The club have also thanked Alex Drennan, a former Imps player, who this season came on board with Pip as first team coach. Both Pip and Alex will always be welcome visitors at the Leisure Centre and we wish them every success for the future. 

"The club are now considering applications from interested parties for what is an excellent opportunity for the right management team and applicants should email the club [email protected]

 It is not yet clear who will take charge of Brantham's next game, a League Challenge Cup tie at Harlow Town.