Mel Mattless has spoken of his disappointment at the manner of his March Town exit.

Mattless, who has been absent from the Hares last two clashes due to health reasons, had informed the club of his intention to step down at the end of the season.

But his departure was brought forward following the club’s decision to appoint the already available Brett Whaley as his successor.

Mattless said: “I met with the board at the end of January and I told them that I didn’t think I was the right person to take the club forward and would be stepping down at the end of the season.

“The team is underachieving at the moment and, as manager, I am responsible for that and I felt stepping down at the end of the year was the right thing to do.

“I am disappointed at the timing, it hurts a bit, I wanted to be here until the end of the season and I am disappointed that the club wanted me to go so soon.

“I am proud of what I have achieved and think we have done well given where we were when I came in but I understand the club want to push on and build for the future and I wasn’t the right person for that.”

Mattless is likely to take a break from football after departing the GER but hasn’t ruled out a return to football management in the future.

“I’ve enjoyed it and wouldn’t rule out taking on another job at a club in the future,” he continued. “But I wouldn’t want to drop down the leagues.

“If I am going to take on another management job, I want it to be in Thurlow Nunn League again ideally.

“Once you have got the itch for football management it is difficult to shift.”