THE dust is still settling after the upheaval during the week that saw Eccleshill United manager Mark Greaves and his number two Hayden Lobley lose their jobs.

The rumours began around tea time on Wednesday and chairman Adrian Benson nipped any speculation in the bud by making a statement within hours. He confirmed that the pair had left and that first-team coach Sean Regan was the new man in the hot-seat.

Benson said: "The club have parted company with Mark and his assistant Hayden because, unfortunately, we felt things were just not as they should be.

"They have left the club due to differences that could not be reconciled and, as far as we're concerned, that's the end of the matter.

"The good news for us is that Sean Regan is now the manager of our football club and we're delighted. Sean is vastly experienced and highly regarded by everyone here and by every other football club."

When Eccleshill and Mark Ellis' RIASA Academy decided to dissolve their five-year partnership and move in different directions during the close season, the Eagles needed to appoint a first-team manager.

Under the previous regime, one of RIASA's top full-time coaches would take on the role of the Eagles' head coach under director of football Ellis. That agreement resulted in Eccleshill having managers of the calibre of Bobby Davison and Lee Duxbury.

When they looked for a boss in their own right again in the summer, Regan was the club's first choice. He came in for an interview but made it clear to the club that his work with the Football Association would not allow him to be manager but he liked the club and wanted to be involved.

Greaves and Lobley were brought in to work alongside Regan and benefit from his knowledge of the game and the local area after spells as a decision-maker with both Thackley and Liversedge.

Benson said: "We've got our man. Sean was our target when we wanted a new man in and now he's in full control of all football matters at the club.

"He's a first-class man with a first-class record and the players respect him. He has absolutely nothing to prove in the game and he is now able to dedicate the time that is needed to manage a club at this level.

"The football side of the club will be run on his policies and will fully embrace his philosophies. He intends to bring in an assistant and he's happy with the current squad of players but is always looking to improve by coaching and wants to add quality whenever possible.

"He has already had a positive effect on the club and has made a big difference to us."