BOB Pratley has resigned after 18 months in charge of Didcot Town.

Pratley and his assistant Phil Coulfield stepped down following last Tuesday's 1-1 draw at local rivals Milton United.

Town's form in the Hellenic League's Premier Division has been poor since Christmas, but Pratley's decision still came as a shock to club chairman John Bailey.

"We didn't really expect it," said Bailey. "Results were not going well and we obviously weren't best pleased, but Bob was under no pressure from us. He perhaps felt that he had taken the players as far as he could.

"Bob was a very good manager - one of the best around. He brought a lot of professionalism to the club. I'm sure that if you give it six months, he will be back in local football again.

"I don't think he was unhappy with anything. Having just moved to a new stadium, we were always going to run a fairly tight ship for a while - and Bob knew that."

Didcot will be adverstising for Pratley's replacemen.

Story date: Tuesday 29 February

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