NON-LEAGUE: Chorley are in turmoil today following the shock departure of manager Dalton Steele.

Confusion still surrounds the exit of the former Winsford United chief 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 and he has planned an emergency meeting to discuss the situation with the players tonight.

"I'm absolutlely flabbergasted," said Steele.

"I've not left of my own accord, the club have sacked me.

"I feel numb and disgruntled because I thought I was dealing with honourable people.

"But you wouldn't treat a dog like this. I went to a board meeting on Thursday night and was told that all the funding is being withdrawn." "The club's main sponsor has apparently told the board that they won't be backing the club anymore.

"I just hope that's true otherwise I've been used.

"But 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.

But Kirkland won't be rushed into a decision about a successor, despite the fact the club might be left with only a handful of players.

Steele brought in virtually a new team at the end of last season, including eight players from his own club Winsford, and they are all likely to remain loyal to their former manager even though they are still registered with the Magpies.

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