LAUNCESTON manager Simon Minett has confirmed he stepped down after Tuesday night’s 6-2 home defeat by bottom of the table Dobwalls.

The Clarets are fourth from bottom in South West Peninsula League but have had some poor results recently. This was their fifth successive defeat having conceded 25 goals in that run.

The club issued a statement this morning: “The committee of Launceston Football Club has reluctantly accepted the resignation of first team manager Simon Minett.

“Simon will leave the club along with his coaching team.

“Clarets football secretary Keith Ellacott said: ‘Simon worked tirelessly at Pennygillam and we’re grateful for the work he put in, along both coaches Rob (Davis) and Dan (Banks).”

“The club will make an announcement concerning the future management structure in due course.”

Minett also released a statement this morning. He said: “After last night’s disappointing defeat to Dobwalls, I made the decision to inform Keith Ellacott and the committee at Launceston Football Club that I would be stepping down as manager with immediate effect.

“The results this season simply haven’t been good enough, and ultimately, as manager, I have to take full responsibility for that.

“Too often this season, we have lacked the fight and desire required, not only to win football matches, but also to remain competitive and give ourselves a chance when games haven’t gone our way.

“We spent significant time over the summer and at the start of the season identifying the types of players we believed could help drive the club up the table. Ultimately, the results, and particularly the manner of some of our defeats, have fallen well short of what is acceptable.

“The number of goals we have conceded and, at times, the lack of collective leadership on the pitch have been major concerns.

“Ultimately, I have to accept responsibility for those shortcomings and the next manager will have to decide who they want to remain at Launceston Football Club.

“My time at Launceston has been anything but easy since joining Neil Price in the dugout, followed by his departure and subsequently the departure of several senior committee members.

“There have been plenty of challenges along the way, but throughout my time at the club, I have always wanted what is best for Launceston Football Club.

“I also want to put on record a personal thank you to Keith. While wearing countless hats and taking on responsibilities that often go unnoticed, he continues to do an enormous amount to keep this football club going.

“His commitment, time and work behind the scenes deserve huge credit, and I am genuinely grateful for everything he does for Launceston Football Club.

“Stepping down is not a decision I have taken lightly, but I believe it is the right decision for both myself and the football club at this time.

“I must thank Rob and Dan who have supported me and the team during my time. Also thank you, and apologies, to the supporters. I wish it could’ve been different.”

Tuesday’s game was seen as an opportunity to move away from the relegation fight against a Dobwalls team who had not won this season and hadn’t scored in their previous six league matches.

So the magnitude of Launceston’s defeat shocked the home supporters at Pennygillam.

Minett joined Launceston in July last year after 18 months as manager at Bodmin Town, teaming up with Neil Price as joint managers.

Minett was instrumental in attracting some talented players to the club, but they finished third from bottom last season and needed a decent start to this campaign to lift the pressure.

After three defeats in their opening four games, the Clarets appeared to turn things around with successive home wins over Hayle and Helston Athletic, keeping clean sheets in both.

But in the next game they slumped to a 7-0 defeat at Penzance, the start of their run of heavy defeats.