DEPARTING Littleton boss John Edwards hit out at claims he had quit to take the vacant post at Midland Football League (MFL) rivals Studley. 

Redditch-based Edwards and assistant Wayne Bunn stood down after the Ton Boys finished 2017-18 with a 5-1 home victory over Racing Club Warwick on Saturday to pinch eighth spot in MFL Division One from the Bees.

The rumour mill has been linking Edwards ever since Keith Draper left the Beehive in February. 

Studley’s caretaker manager Vaughan Pearshouse had been in the running to take change next season but unexpectedly quit on Friday morning, hours before their final match of the season at home to Chelmsley Town.

“This rumour has been circulating for months,” said Edwards.

“All I can say is our resignations have nothing to do with the Studley job. I have had no official contact from anyone at Studley, it has been pub talk and things I have heard second and third hand. 

“That’s not to say we would not look at it, Studley is on our doorsteps. It was not why we left, though.”

Edwards took on his first job in senior Saturday football a handful of matches into the season and transformed fortunes at Five Acres before a biting winter and fixture backlog stifled momentum. 

The exiting manager insisted the primary reason behind his decision had been Littleton’s remote location.

“Some of the players were taking 40 minutes or more to get there and expressed reservations about next season. We would have found it difficult to keep players,” said Edwards.

“I did not want to drop Littleton in it by leaving it until a month before next season starts. We are not from that area and don’t have many contacts over there, it was a case of giving the club a chance to find someone local.

“We had a meeting on Saturday. I get on well with the committee, they are brilliant people but the only way to keep the lads coming over from Redditch and south Birmingham was to raise the budget significantly.

“That was not discussed, I didn’t think it was something that would be on the cards. 

“It became harder all the time. You can understand it from the players’ point of view. Some of our away games were closer for the lads than our home matches.”

As for his own plans, Edwards added: “I need a bit of a break, it has been a long season.

“Personally, I won’t be putting my name forward for any jobs but if anything comes up we will look at it and see how we feel. There is no rush.”

Edwards offered the final word to Littleton’s committee in recognition of their commitment.

“They work tirelessly and don’t get as much credit as they deserve,” he added.

“I would like to thank the committee because it is difficult for them, the logistics can be tricky with where they are located.

“They backed Wayne and I 100 per cent, we didn’t ask for much but they came up with anything we did want and gave their best to help us with everything. 

"We both wish the club and everyone there all the best.”