JULIAN McCalmon says he spent many weeks agonising over his decision to step down as Kidlington boss.

McCalmon, in charge at Yarnton Road for the past two seasons, cites a variety of reasons behind his decision, but feels that the time was right for him, and for the club, to move on.

Kidlington still have two more league games and an Oxfordshire Senior Cup final under McCalmon’s stewardship, and he hopes he can bow out on a high against Oxford City in the final.

He said: “It was a massively hard decision. I know I could have stayed with the club for years if I wanted to, because they have been so supportive.

“When the manager’s chance first came up, I jumped at the chance, but to be honest, I haven’t really been able to achieve what I would have liked with them.

“Perhaps we are just not quite the right fit for each other at the moment.”

Kidlington are destined for a

mid-table finish this season, but McCalmon had hoped for more after building a side he felt were capable of challenging for promotion.

“I love the people at Kidlington, there’s so much work that goes on behind the seasons, but I am a very ambitious guy, and maybe my ambitions have outgrown the club to some extent,” he said.

“Although I had a good team, it was becoming increasingly hard to compete, and I don’t want to be one of those managers who just takes a club’s money, but doesn’t actually deliver and bring anything to the table.”

Although McCalmon has not got anything lined up, he remains passionate for the game and his ambition is to develop as a manager.

“I wouldn’t even mind being a No 2 again if I’m honest,” he said.

“I’m still learning. I’m a young manager, so I’d be looking for something that really grabs my attention.”

McCalmon has nothing but praise for Kidlington, and believes that they can go on to establish themselves as a competitive Southern League club.

“The decision to leave was completely my own, and it was all very amicable,” he commented.

“I explained my reasoning to the club. I’m very new to the management game, so maybe I haven’t shown quite enough to make Kidlington a success.

“Whoever comes in will quickly learn Kidlington will give him their full support. It’s a great club and they will stick by them. They have stuck by me.

“But I’m a very honest guy and I just felt that maybe I wasn’t quite the right fit for the club.

“I have no doubt they will continue to grow, and who knows, maybe one day I can return and finish the job that I started here.”