CHORLEY could be faced with a mass exodus in the wake of the shock departure of manager Dalton Steele.

The ex-Winsford United boss held an emergency meeting with the club's playing staff at Birch Services last night in a bid to explain the events of the last few days. And though the club still retains their registrations, a large majority of the squad are likely to remain loyal to their former boss.

Confusion still surrounds the exit of Steele who only took over from Bryan Griffiths three months ago.

Chairman Jack Kirkland insists the departure is by mutual agreement after Steele's plans to rebuild the struggling UniBond club were deemed too expensive by directors.

But Steele is adamant the club have sacked him. "The players feel just like I do," said Steele. "They are all wondering why the club didn't leave Bryan Griffiths in charge or give the job to Jim McCluskie.

"I don't know what the players are going to do now and I don't want to get involved in that. My own disappointments are enough for me. It looks like I've been a pawn in a game they're playing.

"I think I'm a smokescreen for whatever is going to happen at Chorley Football Club and it's left me very hurt."

Kirkland, however, insists the split was a joint decision after the club said they could not meet Steele's financial demands.

"We had a meeting on Thursday and the board reviewed the whole situation at the club," said Kirkland. "We still don't know whether we are up or down and in view of that we've decided that Dalton Steele's ambitions were going to be too expensive.

"We've been in this situation before under Dave Sutton and I don't want to go down that road again.

"I'm getting sick of non-League football because the costs are getting out of hand.

"I'd rather we started looking at local players but whether or not that's possible I don't know."

Former Burnley star and Director of Football Brian Pilkington has been placed in temporary charge.

Meanwhile, Steele is considering quitting football altogether after being left scared by the events of the last few days.

Accrington Stanley boss John Coleman has wasted no time in arranging two prestigious pre-season friendlies.

Nationwide Conference side Southport visit the Crown Ground on Thursday July 22. And two days later Nationwide Division One outfit Stockport County are the visitors.

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