Saltash United have issued a statement denying that manager Dane Bunney was sacked by the Western League club, and claiming instead that he resigned.

Bunney announced on Twitter on Thursday night that he had been fired, despite finishing the season in fourth place in the table in Saltash’s first year back in the division.

However, the Ashes statement says: “The Saltash United FC committee learned on Thursday evening that Dane Bunney had resigned as committee member and manager of the first team with immediate effect, following a personal discussion with chair Julie Morley.

“The committee have accepted his resignation.

“Dane has been a fundamental part of Saltash United Football Club for a number of years. His commitment and passion cannot be faulted and we thank him for his support and assistance over those years.

“Saltash United are aware of comments on social media regarding Dane’s resignation.

“It is important to state that asking a manager to leave Saltash United would have to be done via the full committee, and would not be sacked by one individual as has been alleged.

“Saltash United remains, and intends to remain, proud members of the Toolstation Western League and has strong ambitions to move forward to the Southern League based on solid financial work behind the scenes as a whole club.

“We are proud of our links to the local community and are happily developing those with all Saltash United junior sides through to our Duchy, St Piran and Toolstation Western League teams.

“We will be advertising the post of first-team manager shortly and will be looking for a candidate to develop the links between all sides and, most importantly, players using the name Saltash United.

“Finally, we wish to express our thanks to all our supporters and sponsors who follow all our teams and we are working hard to move forward for not just next season, but coming seasons in a sustainable, inclusive, friendly way.”

Bunney has responded by posting on social media that, when he asked the Chair if he was being sacked, she said she couldn’t sack him then but would next week when she pushed it through committee, and he took that as being sacked.

Early names being linked with the vacant position are Ashes player-coach Danny Lewis and Millbrook boss Mackenzie Brown.