Cunnington resigns from Yeltz (From Dudley News)

Cunnington resigns from Yeltz

10:39am Tuesday 11th September 2012 in Sport

SHAUN Cunnington has resigned as manager of Halesowen Town.

The News understands Cunnington, who has been in charge at the Grove since January 2011, resigned yesterday along with assistant Paul Tomlinson after a meeting with owner Steve Lynch.

Chairman Colin Brookes will take over as caretaker while the club hunt for a new boss.

Cunnington was in charge during the final months of the Ingram regime, ensuring the club completed the 2010/11 season despite being saturated with financial woes.

Last season he guided the Yeltz to 14th in the Southern League South and West, before the club made the switch to the Northern League Division One South.

But the start to the season has been mixed, with the Yeltz losing three times at home including a shock defeat to Dudley Town in the FA Cup.

A statement posted on the club’s website said: “Halesowen Town announce that Shaun Cunnington and his assistant Paul Tomlinson have resigned from their positions at the club.

“We wish to express our deep gratitude to both Shaun and Paul for their tremendous hard work while they have been at The Grove.

“They were in charge during a traumatic period in our history and strove to ensure that we were able to field a side on the pitch in the most trying of circumstances. “They played a major part in the continued existence of Halesowen Town.

“After a period of stabilisation last season under new ownership, expectations were high at the start of this campaign but an early FA Cup exit to local lower league rivals brought increased pressures and Shaun and Paul no longer felt they had the full support that they required.

“We wish Shaun and Paul good luck and success with their football careers in the future.”

Brookes, who will be assisted by physio Pete Denham and midfielder Neil Barnfield, said he was sorry to see Cunnington leave.

He described getting the Yeltz through to the end of the 2010/11 season, when it looked like the club would fold at any moment, as an “amazing feat”.

Brookes said: “Shaun and Paul’s incredible efforts during those few months will never be forgotten.

“Admittedly this season there have been some poor results at home but I felt he could turn it round.

“But Shaun is a proud man, he is an honourable man and has decided to resign.

“I wish him well for the future.”