Whitley Bay have put senior player Leon Ryan in temporary charge of team affairs following the departure of long serving manager Ian Chandler on Wednesday night.

Ryan, who skippered Whitley to victory in the Vase final three years ago and is in his second spell at the club, will be assisted by former Darlington defender Steve Foster, starting tomorrow against Bishop Auckland at Heritage Park.

The club said in a statement: “The club would like to thank Ian for the fantastic service that he has given both as player and manager over a period covering 25 years. He will go down in the record books as the most successful manager in the club’s history and there will always be a warm welcome for Ian and his family at Hillheads.“

Chandler won the Vase three times as a manager and scored the winner in another as a player.

He said; "I was put in a situation which could only end in me resigning. My assistant Brian Rowe had also resigned. I've had a fantastic ten years with some of the most brilliant players, coaches, fans and assistants. Sad to leave under the circumstances but proud of the entertainment and enjoyment we've given to so many."