FORMER Burnley favourite Brian Flynn said it was a 'sad day' after he parted company with Wrexham after a 12-year association with the Welsh club.

Flynn, who still lives in Burnley, was the third longest serving manager behind Manchester United's Alex Ferguson and Crewe's Dario Gradi, but parted company with the Racecourse club by mutual consent yesterday.

Despite winning the Isle of Man pre season tournament - with a 90th minute goal against the Clarets - it has been an indifferent start for the Second Division side.

Flynn's assistant, former Burnley striker David Reeves, has also left the club.

"It is a sad day, but I must say that everything was conducted in the right manner and we must thank the club for that," Flynn told Wrexham's club website.

"We both want to leave here in the correct manner and I think we are doing that.

"We obviously want to stay in football and we think we have a future in the game. You can never say what is exactly going to happen.

"It has been unique here, what we have both helped achieve and hopefully it will carry on. We have some fantastic memories from our time here, which will stay with us for the rest of our lives."

Robins Managing Director David Rhodes said: "We have not sacked Brian and Kevin, we have reached a mutual agreement after their decision to leave the club at the end of the season. Both parties agreed that we couldn't go on in the situation that we were."

Coach Joey Jones will take over as acting team manager, with assistance from senior players Kevin Russell, Brian Carey and Sir Alex's son Darren Ferguson for tonight's game with Port Vale.

Former Claret Russell said: "I know that we will be doing our utmost to win for the gaffer.

"He has built up the football club over the last 12 years, the training facilities are there and there's a good squad.

"But whoever comes in will get 100 per cent backing from everyone."