DETERMINED boss Steve Appleby has agreed to stay on for a third season with Wisbech Town - insisting it is an honour to manage a club that he loves.

The 44-year-old’s future seemed uncertain earlier in the season as frustration at refereeing decisions pushed him to the brink of quitting football.

But after discussions with the board, the manager who masterminded the Fenmen’s first trophy for 16 years looks set to extend his reign.

Appleby said: “We had that little hiccup when I just got a bit frustrated with certain things but that wasn’t the club’s fault. They have always backed me.

“As a player and a manager, you’re judged by results and trophies and I’m chuffed that I’ve been lucky enough to get the club silverware for the first time in donkey’s years.

“I think I’m a lucky chap to manage Wisbech - it’s an honour. I loved playing for them and I just like being around the club.

“I think they’ve given me as much as I’ve given them.”

Appleby said “one or two things” needed to be sorted out at the end of the season but he was looking forward to helping the Fenmen achieve “bigger and better things”.

On the pitch it was not such a good week for Wisbech.

Appeals for a last-gasp penalty were snubbed on Saturday as the Fenmen had to settle for a 1-1 draw with FC Clacton, courtesy of a Scott Johnson goal.

And things got worse on Tuesday night, as Soham Town Rangers sent them crashing out of the Cambs Invitation Cup.

The Greens, managed by former Wisbech striker Andy Furnell, won the semi-final clash 2-0 in front of 219 fans at the Elgood’s Fenland Stadium.

Appleby said: “I said to the boys at half time that it was a semi-final and if they couldn’t get up for it there’s something very wrong. We were just flat.

“We feel as though we’ve let ourselves down and we feel like we let the fans down.”

Wisbech travel to Hadleigh United in the Ridgeons Premier Division tomorrow before hosting Gorleston on Tuesday.