Foster ‘truly gutted’ to leave Daventry Town

Foster opted to resign from his role last Thursday, having been left with a threadbare squad.

He was quickly replaced by former Watford and Milton Keynes Dons striker Allan Smart, who has brought in former Town boss Ady Fuller as his assistant.

And Smart will now set about using his Academy contacts to build a squad, with the budget remaining limited at Communications Park.

“Last week we went over to Bedford and only had 11 players plus my assistant manager (Neil Champelovier),” explained Foster.

“We got beat and another five of the players told me they’d be looking for other clubs. It’s unsustainable.

“We’d chased players from three or four levels down and there was still no interest in it whatsoever. It left me with four players.”

Foster was also perturbed by what he felt were a change in circumstances, with rumours of a big-money backer coming into the club.

That would have seen Foster being forced to become No.2 to Smart, with Champelovier having to leave the club.

Daventry Town chairman Iain Humphrey maintains no fresh injection of funds has come in, but Foster was under the impression a deal had been agreed last week.

“I heard there might be a deal about to happen a month ago and it would have meant me being No.2, with Neil Champelovier leaving,” he explained.

“I wasn’t prepared to accept that.

“The chairman wasn’t interested (in the new backing) then, but things have deteriorated since and it appeared they were going to get involved.

“With me stepping down, a new management team has been put in place, which gives the club a chance.”

Foster, who was appointed Town boss in 2012, steered the club into the FA Cup first round proper last season, with the team eventually losing 2-0 at Chesterfield.

They also reached the Southern League Division One play-off semi-final, falling to defeat at Kettering Town, and managed to claim glory in the NFA Hillier Senior Cup.

But a change of direction was sought as Humphrey could not continue with the budget that had put the club in position for promotion.

And Foster knows his former boss had little change but to assess his options.

“It got very, very difficult but I don’t blame the chairman because he’s always been good to me,” he said.

“It’s all a little bit disappointing but I know it’s something the chairman had to look at because he had no other choice.

“I am truly gutted because the people have been really good to me and we’ve had some great experiences.

“I’m gutted I was in a position where I had to hand it over but at least we’ve hopefully made sure the club won’t slide down the leagues.”