West Auckland manager Peter Dixon stunned the club this morning by quitting for “football reasons.”

Dixon, who has been in charge for five seasons, phoned general manager Stuart Alderson with his decision this morning, and said; “My reasons for doing so will remain private so I can maintain my dignity. I wish the club every success in the future and would like to thank the players for their support and the fans for making my time at the club so enjoyable.”

Dixon guided West to the Vase final at Wembley twice where they finished on the losing side to Dunston UTS and Sholing, and also to within a whisker of the league title in 2012, but they were pipped in the closing week of the season. They were also beaten in the league cup final the same year.His assistant, Paul Foster, has also quit.

Alderson, who is inviting applications for the post, said; “We’re shocked that he’s gone. Sometimes managers can only go as far as they can, but Peter has done brilliant in the time he’s been here. I spoke to him pre-season, and he said that he’d lost a little bit of heart.”

There was a second managerial resignation before midday when Paul Bennett quit Crook Town for “serious personal reasons” after being in charge for three months. However, the two departures aren’t connected, and it is understood that there is no chance of Dixon returning to his previous club.