John Crumplin today quit as Ringmer boss claiming: "I've been let down."

Crumplin is leaving the County League title favourites after chairman Richard Soan admitted that the club would not be able to gain promotion to the Ryman League.

The former Albion defender was desperate to manage the club at a higher level but Ringmer have run out of time to get their Caburn Field ground up to standard by the March 31 deadline.

Crumplin said: "I am not going to do it next season. I need to manage at a higher level and I thought I would be able to do that with Ringmer. It is a case of broken promises, I feel I have been let down.

"I will be leaving. Whether they want me to finish the season or go now is up to them but I will be leaving "If higher clubs are looking for somebody I am open to offers."

Crumplin took over at Ringmer two years ago and led them to an RUR Cup triumph last season and a place in the Senior Cup final where they lost to Crawley.

The Blues are eight points clear at the top of division one although second-placed Horsham YMCA have two games in hand.

Crumplin added: "I told the chairman last Saturday and he asked me to sleep on it but I won't be changing my mind.

"When I started the job two years ago I was promised the ground would be ready for promotion. I have delivered everything I said I would.

"They hadn't won anything for 35 years but last season we got to two cup finals and finished sixth in the league.

"This year I promised we would finish in the top three so we could be promoted so I have kept my part of the bargain.

"I feel sorry for the players because I have got players to the club who have played at a higher standard. Some have dropped down to play one year at this level so they could step up next year."

Soan has promised that the improvement work will still take place in the close season but that will be too late for Crumplin.

He was due to meet Soan last night to clarify when he would be leaving, although it is likely Ringmer will ask him to stay to lead them to what would be their first County League title since 1971.

Crumplin's announcement is sure to add spice to what is shaping up to be a thrilling runin.

The Argus polled all of the managers in the league to ask who would come out on top.

The majority believe it will be Ringmer although Crumplin's departure is sure to take some gloss off the celebrations should they pip YMCA to glory.