WORCESTER City chairman Dave Boddy looked a lonely figure as he wandered around a wind-battered St George's Lane on Thursday evening.

He had just accepted manager John Barton's resignation and there was a subdued feeling around the ground as caretaker boss John Snape put the players through training ahead of today's Nationwide Conference North clash with Harrogate Town.

The Yorkshire club are one of the big spenders in the league -- cash that has helped them muscle their way up among the leaders. So there is more than a touch of irony that it will be Harrogate who provide the first test for City as they come to terms with life without Barton. This truly is a case of the haves and have nots.

Boddy praised his former manager for the work he has done at the club during his five years in charge -- much of the time with a tight budget.

"He has done a tremendous job for the club over the last five years and under our financial constraints what he has achieved has been excellent," the chairman explained.

"This year has seen those financial restraints tighter than ever and not a week has gone by when there have not been problems. Supporters will never understand what he has had to work with.

"Our year-on-year improvement in terms of league position and quality of squad has been there for all to see and, had it not been for an unbelievable unlucky sequence of injuries, who knows what we might have achieved.

"We are all disappointed that John has decided to call it a day, but we understand and respect his reasons and decision. He was under no pressure from the board -- he has made his decision and we have to respect it.

"I would like to place on record our thanks for his dedication and loyalty to the cause."

Mark Owen's departure for league rivals Moor Green should free up some of the budget to bring in at least one new face, but Boddy was also keen to thank the striker for his efforts on the pitch.

He added: "I would like to thank Mark for the massive contribution he has made to the club.

"His goalscoring record speaks for itself, reaching his 100 goals in less than 200 games.

"Unfortunately, he suffered a cruel leg break and a succession of other injuries and has been unable to recapture his form so John suggested that he should look elsewhere to re-ignite his career."