CHIEF Executive Kevin Williams admits Ian Rowe had “probably outgrown” Gornal Athletic.

Williams said Rowe’s resignation last Thursday had come as a huge shock to club officials.

But while he rejected any claims the club is lacking ambition, he acknowledged the Peacocks off-field operations had found it impossible to keep up with a team which has surpassed all expectations in the past three years.

He said: “The frightening thing is Ian could potentially win the league next season but I don’t think we would be ready for it.

“It is not that we aren’t ambitious but we have to take things more slowly.

“It could take another three years until we are in the position to move up again.

“We can’t fault anything Ian has done during his time at the club. He feels it is time to further progress his career and we will not stand in his way.”

Though it is highly unlikely, Gornal could still challenge Stratford Town for this season’s Midland Alliance title should they win all ther games in hand and the Warwickshire side hit bad form.

But the Peacocks have no chance of promotion as they do not have the required E grade ground rating. They have now been granted the F grade rating which was required to remain in the Alliance.

Williams said the club had expected Rowe to remain in charge.

He said: “We thought because we had not heard anything and we had got so far down the line he was happy to stay for another year.

“It’s been all good news of late and we did not see this coming at all.”

Gornal are currently inviting applications for the post. Anyone interested should contact Williams at gor nalathleticfc1@hotmail.co.uk