Archie Christie today revealed he walked away from Valley Parade after rejecting the chance of a senior City role.

The club claimed that the head of player development left for the sake of his health – and Mark Lawn denied rumours of a fall-out.

But Christie said he called it quits because he decided against taking the post of Football CEO.

“I was offered the position a month ago and I was honoured and privileged to be considered for it,” he said.

“But on weighing it up and learning about the job over the past four weeks, I decided it’s not for me.

“Because of that, I felt it best to leave the club with immediate effect and I can spend more time at home with my two daughters.”

As the news of Christie’s departure got out yesterday, rumours surfaced of a row with Lawn at the FA Youth Cup tie on Tuesday – which the joint-chairman was quick to deny.

Lawn said: “Archie made his decision because the job was putting too much strain on his health. People will think what they want but that is the reason.

“I don’t know anything about any rows that are supposed to have taken place. In fact, we will welcome him back here any time.

“We’d like to thank Archie for all the good work he has done with bringing players in and putting the development squad in place. That will still continue.”

* Read full story in today’s Telegraph & Argus