Wisbech Town has been plunged into crisis with the departure of the manager, two members of the backroom staff and five players.

During his two seasons in charge, Dick Creasey led the Fenmen to the quarter final of the FA Vase and a third place United Counties League finish.

Club coach Mark Melson and physio Shane Spafford are also leaving. The Fenmen have also lost 2014/5 player of the season Adam Millson, topscorer Josh Ford, defender Neal Spafford, goalkeeper Lea Jordan and forward Matt Lunn.

Creasey said, with the club cutting its budget and haemorrhaging players, he felt it was the right time to give someone else the hotseat.

Creasey, speaking to BBC Radio Cambridgeshire, said: “With what we did last year, I certainly thought the squad was almost there. We proved that when at one stage we nearly went top of the league - we could have gone on and won it.

“We knew we were not far off. We just needed with tinker with one or two players, improve one or two areas, but then unfortunately the club had to cut its budget.

“I’ve got a winning mentality. When that’s not going to be possible, it’s the right time to step down.

“If we could have held the squad together, we would have been not far off. Most of the players wanted that to happen, but money did talk. Other clubs get wind of it, other managers look at your players and offer them something we can’t.

“The job gets very hard then. It’s time to let somebody else have a go who’s a bit younger than me.”

Millson, who made 167 appearances in three and a half season at the Fenmen, is joining Evo Stick Northern Premier League Division One South side Spalding United.

Goalkeeper Lea Jordan is another player who sees his future away from the Elgoods Fenland Stadium. His third stint with the club ends with him on 175 appearances since making his debut in 2010.

Winger Matt Lunn will not be returning next season as he has secured a job in Spain. Over five seasons, he made 224 appearances, scoring 35 goals.

Ford spent one season with the Fenmen, scoring 28 goals in 43 appearances. Spafford joined the club in July 2011 from Gainsborough Trinity. He scored 19 goals in 193 appearances and captained the side on a few occasions.

Creasey said: “I felt it was going to be a bit of a domino effect. Once one player goes, others follow. This is what’s happening at the moment.

“I can’t fault the players. Football is part of their income. They’ve got to do the right thing for themselves and their families.

“The club is at a massive crossroads. One of the directors, Dave Parsons, who was a big benefactor, has stepped down. At this level you need one of them. Turnstile money doesn’t take care of everything. You need somebody with deep pockets to help you out.”

Creasey has not ruled out an immediate return to management.

He said: “I’m not as young as I was, but the players last season gave me a lot of enthusiasm. I’ll take stock and see what happens. If somebody comes knocking, we’ll see what happens.”

A club statement said: “The board of Wisbech Town have been informed by first team manager Dick Creasey that he will be stepping down as manager with immediate effect for personal reasons.

“Obviously this is a big blow to the club after announcing at the end of the season that Dick would be staying at the helm for the 2015/16 campaign.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank Dick for his time at the club and wish him all the best for the future.

“The club places on record its appreciation for (the departing players and coaching staff) their contributions to Wisbech Town and wishes them all good luck for the future.”