UNCERTAINTY surrounds Wantage Town following the resignation of manager Stuart Cattell.

Cattell handed in his resignation following the Alfredians’ 1-0 defeat to Evo-Stik Southern League Division 1 South & West leaders Hereford last weekend.

Cattell took up the post as player-manager in November 2015 on an interim basis, before being installed permanently in the role the following month.

“It was a decision taken with a very heavy heart,” Cattell said.

“It’s not something I just did overnight, it’s something I’ve had to think long and hard about.

“I’ve been at the club for six years, closing in on seven, so it’s been a big part of my life.

“But I just felt it was probably best for the club if I stepped away. It wasn’t something I wanted to do.”

Assistant Ben Sadler is expected to lead a depleted side at home to Taunton Town on Saturday, following the recent loss of several key players.

“In the last couple of weeks we’ve lost three or four players and we just couldn’t replace them,” Cattell added.

“I’ve tried without any luck to find suitable replacements, but I just didn’t have the time to do it anymore.”

He continued: “It’s always been a struggle to bring in players of the necessary standard.

“Whenever we unearth a good player they’re poached by someone else and it’s very hard to replace them.

“Hopefully this will give the chance to someone else, who maybe has a few more contacts and can build a team."