MALVERN Town chairman Paul Pallett said it was the right time for a change of manager at the club following Joe Rawle’s departure after 18 months in charge.

Rawle claimed he and his assistant Martin Day were both relieved of their duties at the helm of the Langland Stadium club after a woeful season that saw them relegated from British Gas Business Division One Midlands to the Midland Alliance.

Although hampered by his budget for players throughout the term, Pallett insists it was time for a new man in charge at the club.

Pallett said: “I appreciate what Joe has done for the club over the last 12 months, it’s probably been the most difficult that we’ve ever had.

“It’s the right moment to make a change and we wish Joe well.

“We realised all along that we were punching above our weight in the Southern League but we’ve made every effort to stay in the division.

“We’ve not been able to keep up the same level of payment for players that other clubs in the division could.

“As a result, Joe was not able to get the type of players that he wanted to get.

“His hands were tied but I thank him for what he has done. It must have been extremely difficult to keep the morale going last season and he has done well to keep it together.

“It’s the first step in a big change in the structure of the club. It’s time for a change.”

Rawle, who took over from Paul Molloy for his second spell in charge, said: “I’m not disappointed to be sacked as I have been half-expecting it for a couple of months.

“I will still go and watch the team.”