It was a tough week for Thackley as they lost their management duo and another league game.

All three points went back to Athersley with the away team following Tuesday night’s Toolstation Northern Counties East Premier Division clash.

That was the first game overseen by caretaker-manager Andy Patterson, who was assisted by reserve-team boss Craig Beswick.

They were placed in temporary charge on Monday after Lee Clapham and Dave Morgan left following a meeting with club secretary Mick Lodge on Sunday.

Lodge explained: “There has been a bit of tension and after Saturday’s game, which was a win for us down at Staveley, there were some words exchanged between Lee and some members of the committee.

“Lee asked me on Sunday if he was still the manager and I said ‘yes, definitely’. He then asked me if he would still be manager after Tuesday because he knew there was a committee meeting planned for after the game. I had to tell him that I couldn’t guarantee that he would be.

"I think Lee was reluctant to do all the preparation for Tuesday’s game only to be told after it ‘thanks and goodbye’ so he said he considered himself to be sacked.”

The club posted a statement on their website announcing Clapham’s departure and announcing former Bantams youngster Patterson’s elevation on a temporary basis.

Clapham did not agree with the wording and said: “I was sacked by the club as joint manager on Sunday with immediate effect and as a result of that decision Dave Morgan decided that he would resign as joint manager, also with immediate effect.

“The club have had their say publicised but I feel it is only fair that we have the right to reply. We were happy to continue as the management team but the club decided otherwise. I do not wish to make any further comment at this time.”

Lodge added: “Sacked is not a word I want to use or one that sits well with the football club – Thackley is not a sacking club – though I can understand Lee’s frustrations and I can see his point.

“We were going great guns up until Christmas, always in the top four and winning games against the big clubs in our division. The wheels have come off since but that’s not down to Lee and Dave.”