Budget constraints led Colbran to quit Crows
12:05am Friday 16th May 2008
Simon Colbran has left Crowborough because he fears their first season in the Ryman League will be spent fighting relegation.
Colbran has stepped down as joint manager after leading Crows to the County League title for the first time in their history.
He said the budget he was offered for next season when the club will be playing in Ryman division one south would make it almost impossible to compete.
The 38-year-old, who was the lead figure in the management partnership with Harry Smith, now hopes to find a club to match his ambitions.
He said: "I am not leaving on bad terms. We didn't have any arguments, we just couldn't meet in the middle.
"All they offered me was the same budget as they gave me in the County League which I felt would be really impossible to work with.
"I have had five really good years at the club and in those five years I have bought the majority of the players to the club especially the team which won us the title this season.
"I spoke to all the players and asked if they would play for the same money as last season in the County League and 80% said they wouldn't. I also wouldn't have the money to bring in new players.
"I wasn't looking to get promoted. I wanted to stabilise, look at the league and look to get promoted the following year. Their view is all they want to do is stay up. I couldn't manage a club with those views because I didn't want to get in a dogfight from day one.
"I have been speaking to a lot of people. There are clubs in this league who will have three or four times the budget I have been offered."
Crowborough chairman Malcolm Boyes said the club would take time to decide whether to bring in a new manager, an assistant to Smith or another joint manager but he confirmed Smith would be staying with the club.