FORMER Crawley manager John Yems has sent a message to fans for the first time since being sacked by the club.

The manager left the club following his suspension after allegations of discriminatory conduct towards players at the club.

An investigation by the FA is still ongoing and there is no estimated date as to when it will by concluded.

Yems however has admitted that he did not want to leave the club.

Speaking to the Crawley Observer, Yems said: “I want to thank all the Crawley Town fans for everything. They have been really good. I want them to keep going to Crawley Town and supporting the club.

“I never wanted to leave the club.

“We had a great couple of years and I have had a great time. We had a brilliant and diverse squad and I was looking forward to next season,

“For legal reasons I have got to keep my mouth shut but I just wanted to say thank you the fans and the players have been fantastic.

“I also want to thank Lee Bradbury and Lewis Young for all their help in the past couple of years.”

New owners WAGMI United are still on the hunt for a new manager but have admitted that they are closing on a decision.

The current favourite for the position is Arsenal's u23 head coach Kevin Betsy.