EVESHAM United chairman Jim Cockerton admitted he would have given sacked boss Paul Collicutt “a bit longer” but said he had to back a unanimous committee decision.

Collicutt’s tenure was terminated by the Robins after five-and-a-half years yesterday despite three play-off campaigns and a win ratio of more than 53 per cent across 236 league matches.

The outgoing gaffer called the decision “short-sighted” with Cockerton conceding he felt the call made by all nine committee members present – two did not attend – could prove premature.

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“Paul gave us five-and-a-half years of good service,” said the United chief.

“I was disappointed with this season’s performance, he lost some good players and failed to replace them. Overall I was not particularly happy with the situation like the others.

“I would have preferred him to have been given a bit longer but I have to go along with what the committee decides, I would only have a casting vote if it had been a hung decision.

“I respect them for the decision they made. It is unfortunate and I feel sorry for Paul but these things happen.

“As a club we have made the decision and we will find out whether that is right or wrong going forward.

“I fully appreciate what Paul has done for Evesham United, and a lot of people don’t know how much he has done. I wish him well whatever he chooses to do and we are still friends.”

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Collicutt said: “I have an awful lot of time for Jim. He is straight and asked me to a meeting to tell me face to face, I don’t have a problem with him at all.

“He made it clear there had been a meeting the night before and that the powers that be had voted me out.

“When he asked me to take it on five-and-a-half years ago, Evesham were 18th in the table and Jim warned me there would only be seven or eight players there (at the first training session).

“The club was in a mess back then. Things have moved forward since and the club has a lot going for it but for them to move on again they need to be a lot more united as a club.”

Cockerton said the club would accept applications for the post immediately with interviews set to take place in approximately three weeks’ time.

Interest can be registered with Cockerton via email: jimcockerton@yahoo.co.uk