CINDERFORD Town have declined promotion to the Southern League Premier Division and title-winning manager John Brough has left the club.

Club officials wrote to the Southern League to request they remain in Division One South & West after deciding life at the next level would be ’financially unsustainable’ at this point.

The decision, which was expected as reported in The Forester this week, came after chairman Ashley Saunders verbally resigned last week and now Brough has ended his tenure at the Causeway.

Committee member Stuart Tait, who served as the club’s vice-chairman until recently, announced the news in a pair of statements.

“Having taken as many views as possible within the last 24 hours whilst adhering to the league deadline, I can confirm I have written to the league today confirming that we will be not be taking promotion and have asked to remain in our present league,” he said on the club’s forum and social media channels.

“The decision was made with a heavy heart and after such a brilliant season, but the security and the sustainability of the club was of utmost importance as the club has to come first and not our ambitions, but that doesn’t mean we have to curtail those ambitions going forward.

“Having said that, with all the goings on in recent weeks, it’s been a pleasure to see so many rally around in a joint effort to establish this club on a stronger footing, which will give us the sustainability to progress this club’s future.

“It’s with regret that having spoken to John this evening he has decided to decline our offer of the managers position for the 2016/2017 season.

“I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of the club to thank John for the success he has brought to our club and he will be always remembered in the club’s history for the achievements he and his management team have achieved.

“So as I’ve said previously it’s a new dawn at the club and the work to bring a new manager into the the fold begins and hopefully in the next few weeks that can be announced.”Tait added that the club have received applications for the role already, and said they are 'actively seeking' a new manager.