CARTERTON have appointed John Paul Hannaway and Sean O’Sullivan as joint managers following the surprise resignation of previous boss Ben Sadler, writes MATTHEW BRUCE.

Sadler, who led Carterton to promotion from Uhlsport Hellenic League Division 1 West last season, resigned on Friday evening, with the following day’s Premier Division fixture at home to Tuffley Rovers postponed as a result.

“Due to the late hour and with no knowledge of the number of players that were joining him in his departure, we had no other option than to cancel Saturday’s game,” said chairman Tom Amer in a statement on the club’s website.

“I’m totally deflated, battle-scarred and still mopping up the carnage of somebody that we now know had zero per cent respect for Carterton Football Club or the very people that have worked tirelessly to save it.”

Sadler defended his decision, citing a lack of support from the club as the reason he and some of his players chose to step down.

He said: “It was taking over my life and I was getting very little support from the club.

“Alongside this I am set to start a new job.

“There is never a right time to leave a club, but I felt things were only going to get worse.

“The players backed my decision 100 per cent and were all keen to move on from the club.

“I wished the club officials all the best and despite their poor handling and communication of events, I still hope they continue to improve.”