SHILDON manager Gary Forrest and his assistant Stuart Niven have resigned today, just hours after one of their best players was transferred to Darlington.

Forrest took charge of Shildon 12 years ago, and was the second longest serving manager in the league.

Last season he guided them to the treble of Northern League, League Cup and Durham Challenge Cup, and three years ago they were within touching distance of the FA Vase final at Wembley until they lost in the home leg of the semi-final. They currently lie third in the table ahead of their game at Sunderland RCA tomorrow.

“I’ve resigned on principle,” said Forrest. “I received a text on Thursday morning from my brother to say that David Ferguson was being transferred to Darlington, and that the money for him was already in the club’s bank account. I knew nothing about it until the club secretary confirmed it.

“For 11 years I had an agreement with the club that I had the final word on player transfers at the club, but obviously it didn’t happen on this occasion.

“I told the club that I would stay in charge until the end of the season and then resign, but the club said that they wanted me to go now.”

Club chairman David Dent said: “While the circumstances could have been better Gary and Stuart have made an enormous contribution to Shildon AFC over the last few years and we wish them every success in the future. We are now however entering another exciting chapter in our history and I am delighted that Bobby Moore has accepted the position as manager.

“He has a long history with Shildon and gets the bigger picture of what we are trying to achieve. I am confident that Bobby can produce a team that can continue to compete against the best teams within the Northern League and who will work alongside the Board and our extremely talented Development Squad to create a sustainable community focused football club here at Dean Street.”