Ian Chandler, one of the most successful managers ever in north east non league football, has quit as boss of Whitley Bay.
The reasons are unclear at the moment, but it is understood that the club will make a statement on Thursday morning, and Chandler will also make comments.
Chandler has just completed ten years service as manager at Hillheads, during which the club made a glorious mark on the FA Vase, winning it three seasons in a row during his leadership in 2009, 2010 and 2011. Chandler also scored the winning goal in the 2002 Vase final as a player for Whitley.
They also won the Northern League in 2007, and the Northumberland Senior Cup in 2005 and 2010.
It isn’t yet known who will take over from Chandler, but it is understood that his backroom staff have also left, so the club will probably appoint a caretaker ahead of Saturday’s Northern League game against Bishop Auckland at Heritage Park.
Ironically, it was only recently when the club and Chandler both hoped that he would be manager “for some time to come”.
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