Mark Morsley has quit as Harwich and Parkeston boss.

The Shrimpers manager has resigned after a disagreement over his budget for next season.

Morsley felt he had been assured there would be money to spend but the club say they are unable to meet his demands.

It ends a miserable few days for the club, during which they suffered relegation to Ridgeons League division one following last Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at Woodbridge.

They could still be given a reprieve, due to restructuring of the league, but, whatever the outcome, Morsley will not be in charge at The Royal Oak.

Explaining his decision, the former Sudbury and Needham Market boss told the Gazette: “I’m really disappointed, although not altogether surprised.

“I thought we were agreed on where we were going but it’s come to light that maybe things weren’t as cast-iron as I thought.

“I’d already made two deals for players for next year which I’ve now had to undo.

“It’s a ridiculous situation.

“The club couldn’t say what – or even if – money would be available and you can’t run a team like that. Not if you want to be successful.

“I thought I was here long-term. I wanted the chance to take the club forward but if the tools are broken then I can’t work.

“It’s such a pity because, for me, there’s no bigger sleeping giant on the local non-league circuit than Harwich.

“It’s got the potential to be huge but sometimes you have to speculate to accumulate. I thought the club were prepared to do that.”

Shrimpers chairman Barry Vernon expressed his regret over the situation.

“We parted on good terms but it’s very sad,” he said.

“Mark is ambitious and desperately wanted to take the club forward, but he wanted a considerable amount for his budget and we couldn’t afford it.

“As a club, we have to be realistic.

“We talked and talked about the issue and he wanted things to be sorted there and then, but I have a responsibility as chairman and didn’t feel I could take the club down that road.

“As a committee, we have a responsibility to members of the club.

“Mark’s ambitious and we’re ambitious but if we haven’t got the money then what can we do?

“Some people will say you have to speculate to accumulate but if you haven’t got the money in the first place there’s no point.”

On and off, Vernon has been involved at Harwich for 40 years.

However, he admitted he would be happy to stand down at the club’s annual meeting in late July.

“We badly need some new faces involved and if someone came along with the commitment, time and finance to take the club forward I’d happily step down,” he said.

“I’d take a back seat and stay there.”