Breaking: Adair quits as Banbridge Town manager

Adair quit the club on Monday following a breakdown in communications between the manager and the club committee. It’s understood that Adair had asked for next year’s expenses budget to be set so that he could begin signing players for next season.

But, speaking exclusively to the Leader, Mr Cully explained that this could not be given as the club had not held their AGM.

“We weren’t in a position to finalise the budget - there was no point in us giving a manager a false budget to sign players which he might not be able to afford,” said the Town Chairman.

“That could end up jeopardising the future of the club and that is what has to come first.

“There was a delay in getting back to Brian - personally speaking I have been busy with business commitments - and due to that Brian felt we weren’t moving quickly enough and that it was hampering him in his attempts to sign players.”

The search is now on for a new manager and it is hoped to have someone in place quickly.

“The news has stuck like a bolt out of the blue. It’s important that we move quickly on it, however, so that a new manager can come in and find his feet during pre-season.

“Brian goes with our best wishes. In his six months at the club he led us to two semi-finals and a final. You could see the inroads that he was making and I’m sure that he will be a success wherever he ends up next.”

There will be more on this story in next week’s Leader.