Toolstation NCEL Premier Division
Louis Axcell’s surprise exit from Maltby Main has been announced, hours after the wind-assisted goal-less draw with Handsworth.
The decision ends his two-year tenure.
His assistant John Stancliffe has been put in interim charge for the rest of the season.
Axcell was even interviewed by Non League Yorkshire at the end of the game and he spoke about his aims for the rest of the season and how the club’s first Sheffield & Hallamshire Senior Cup final appearance since 1978 fitted in.
A statement said: “Louis has overseen the role since October 2019 as interim boss and then full time. He has been in charge for over 50 league games despite the curtailed seasons and steered the club through the stop starts of the pandemic which we will be forever grateful.
“It has been a very difficult decision to make and not one made inhaste.
“An accumulation of some poor performances and results at home over the past few months have led to this decision and a change would be best at this time to try and build on what the club want to achieve in the future.
“These very hard decisions sometimes need making in football and we wish Louis the very best for the future. He will always, like all past managers, coaches and players be welcomed at the club, as we pride ourselves on this friendship with past people.
“I have worked closely with Louis since July and we’ve got on great. Never a cross word said in that time and it’s sad when I have to do something like this. As a Chairman it lands with me to tell him and that isn’t easy to do. I would challenge any football club senior who has done this and says it’s easy to do.
“Louis has taken the club to the Senior Cup Final and he will always be known as the one who did. So, making a decision like this may seem strange, but we must look beyond this and at the run of home results and poor league performances which have always been the number one focus of the club.
“Assistant manager John Stancliffe will take charge in an interim role until the end of the season. His first game will be away at Thackley AFC on Saturday 5th February.
“We wish him and team all the very best for this game.
“The club do not wish to elaborate any further.”