STEVE Mullen has left Darwen after three seasons in charge at the Anchor Ground.

Mullen parted company with the NWCL Division Two club by 'mutual consent' earlier this week and has been replaced by reserve team manager Wayne Watkins.

Mullen said: "It came as a shock because I thought I was slowly getting things right.

"But myself and the chairman Ted Ward have agreed to disagreed on a number of matters so we decided it was best that we parted company.

"I'm disappointed by the way it happened because I think I was left in the dark.

"The chairman obviously has other plans for the team but I think it could have been handled better.

"I want to return to football at some point and I wish the players at the club all the best for the future."

Darwen are currently ninth in NWCL Division Two and were dumped out of the FA Vase last weekend.

Secretary Fran Eccles said: "There was no animosity but it is true the chairman and Steve disagreed on a number of issues.

"But there is no ill feeling it is just one of those things."