Alan Pook has resigned as chairman of Burgess Hill to join Withdean.

Pook is to take charge of the club's youth policy after four successful years at Leylands Park.

There has been speculation for months that Pook, who led Hillians to three successive County League titles, would join Withdean 2000 who have been accepted into the Combined Counties League next season.

He regularly insisted that he would not leave and says he was forced into a corner after the County League changed their rules at last week's AGM and banned individuals from involvement at two different clubs of similar standard.

Pook, whose brother Geoff is to be first team manager at Withdean 2000, said: "I'm very sad to be leaving Burgess Hill, but my conscience is clear.

"I've got a lot on my plate and something had to give. I've been involved in youth football for 12 years and I want to set up a system at Withdean where the cream of young players in the core Brighton area go through the club.

"I wouldn't have needed to make this decision had it not been for the rule change. The people at Burgess Hill have been very supportive of my position. I have got a lot of friends there and I will be going back and keeping in touch."

Pook's successor is Ken Somerville jnr, his vice-chairman for the past 18 months. Gary Croydon will continue to manage the side and will become a director.

Croydon said: "Burgess Hill have been the flagship club of the County League for the past few years and there is no reason why that won't continue. The team that finishes above us next season will be champions."