KEVIN Brock's seven-month reign as Oxford City manager has ended with the sack.

The 35-year-old player-boss, one of Oxford United's 1986 Milk Cup-winning heroes, has paid the price for City's poor league form which saw them relegated from the Ryman League Premier Division after finishing rock bottom.

Paul Lee, City's director of football and player-coach Peter Rhoades-Brown, are favourites to form the new management team, although they could just as easily be for the chop after last season's wretched performance.

A statement from the club said: "

"Unfortunately results alone speak for themselves. We ended up tailed off bottom of the league and a massive 17 points short of retaining our place in the Premier.

"The directors and committee unanimously agreed there had to be a change. Kevin was asked to resign, but would not do so."

Brock was disappointed to be given the axe. "I took the club over in a difficult time and I wasn't under any illusions about that and feel I have improved the playing side an awful lot," he said.

And in a parting shot, he claimed:

chairman Mick Woodley had tried to influence team selection.

the so far undisclosed sacking of midfielder Jason Caffel for being handed an FA misconduct charge was a disgrace.

the club was a shambles and had an awful atmosphere.

Of Woodley he said. "Ive played football for 20 years . I had a little fall-out with Kevin Keegan but that was somnething different, but I've not known anyone like this fella."

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