MALVERN Town manager Neil Hunt has blamed a lack of ambition and money as his reasons for resigning at the end of the season.

Charlton-based Hunt was due to tell the players of his decision after training on Wednesday evening and prior to Malvern's last league game of the season at Rocester tomorrow (Saturday).

Thirty-five-year-old Hunt has been at the club for three-and-a-half years, he won the West Midlands premier division title and lifted the Worcester Infirmary Senior Cup last year, progressing again to play in this year's final in May.

He said: "Basically it is due to the lack of ambition of the football club, it is possible that I have taken the club further than it wanted to go.

"Perhaps I have outgrown the club, I feel the playing side is two or three levels above where the club is.

"There are very good people involved in the running of Malvern Town, but unfortunately not enough support is given to the committee or to fundraising.

"The higher the level of football one achieves, so the pressure on finance increases and this is an area where Malvern suffer. Also on match days there is not enough support given to the committee.

"It came home to me when we went to Chasetown, they had around 15 people at the clubhouse all doing something and put beside that, we look very amateurish."

Hunt said although he was the manager, he could only do so much and did not look forward to a pre-season spent just trying to raise more funds.

He said: "I would, however, like to thank all the committee and in particular the chairman for all their support over the past three- and-a-half years, with special thanks to secretary Margaret Coldicott, who has worked tirelessly to support me and the club in general.

"I wish the club success in the future.

"I have not got another post and am coming out of football at the moment but I would still be interested if anything else came up," he added.

Town chairman Paul Pallett said they were disappointed to lose Hunt and was full of praise for what he had achieved.

He said: "He (Hunt) has done extremely well for us and gained promotion from the West Midlands League and has achieved two top- six finishes in the Alliance.

"At this level he has operated on a good budget and been supported fully by the committee and by myself.

"We are disappointed to lose his services, his style of management attracted good players and I know he is destined for a higher grade of football management.

"I wish him every success for the future and would like to thank him for all he has done for the club.

"At least he has given us time to get organised for next season. Our ground has passed the inspection to move up another grade and we will look to achieve that."