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PAUL Davies admitted that escalating work commitments and a five-game losing run were the main reasons why he ended his brief stint as Stourport Swifts manager last week.

The former Kidderminster Harriers striker decided to step down from the hot-seat at Walshes Meadow after only taking up the role in October.

Davies replaced Phil Mullen as caretaker boss and guided Swifts to a four-game unbeaten run and eighth in the BGB Southern League Midlands Division One.

However, since taking the job permanently in November Stourport have endured a five-game losing streak which has saw them plummet into a relegation battle.

I was doing this job reluctantly and I realised there was a lot of hard work to be done," said Davies.

"I have always enjoyed the coaching side and I was unsure about being manager.

"I have a lot on at work at the moment and I didn't have the time to devote to the manager's role properly."

Davies invigorated the team by giving players from Stourport's youth team, such as Chris McComisky, a chance to prove themselves, but he was unable to find a solution to Swift's defensive woes.

The team had the worst defensive record in the league, conceding 47 in 18 games. Davies finally decided to quit after a promising performance in the 2-0 loss to Aylesbury was followed by a below-par one in the 1-0 loss to relegation rivals Rothwell Town last week.

Davies said: "Whoever comes in has a massive task. We obviously had a good period when I took over as caretaker manager, which is only natural.

"But it became harder and harder over recent weeks. I thought we turned a corner last week when we played well against Aylesbury but the performance against Rothwell Town was so abject it was the final straw."

Chairman Chris Reynolds admitted that he will name a new manager before Saturday's league game at home to Rushall Olympic.

With names such as former Swifts manager Rod Brown rumoured to be in the fame Reynolds admitted there had been a lot of interest in the manager's job.

"I have a long list of people I have been speaking to and I hope to name a new manager before Saturday," he said.

10:34am Monday 10th December 2007

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