CRESTFALLEN assistant boss Garry Brown says he would like to apologise personally to every single Rossendale United fan for the events that led to him and manager Paul Colgan quitting Dark Lane – but insists they had no other choice.

Brown, Colgan and coach Paul Williams took the decision to leave after Tuesday’s game with Runcorn Linnets was postponed because the water supply to Dark Lane had been cut off and he says that was just the latest in a long line of problems to hit the Vodkat League outfit.

“We never saw that coming,” Brown said. “It is a really sad time and I would like to apologise to every single one of our supporters for the way things have turned out.”

Colgan, Brown and Williams took over in October as the Stags aimed to plot a return to the Evo-Stik League.

“We agreed on an operating plan when we took over,” added Brown.

“But since the chairman Steve Hobson left in December it has been almost impossible.

“We have been electricians, plumbers, cleaners and even made the tea but we still had a belief that we could progress.

“The players have been smashing. They’ve been travelling to away games in their cars without any expenses and we wish them all the best.”

Brown says it will be tough for the Stags to bounce back, especially with owner Andrew Connolly taking a hands-off approach.

He said: “It looks difficult and that is sad because we found that Rossendale is a smashing club with a great set-up.”

Bacup manager Brent Peters is a former Rossendale boss and was brought up next to the Dark Lane ground.

“It is soul destroying,” he said. “I grew up next to the ground and was involved there as a ball boy and I managed the club.

“We are only five promotions away from the Football League and Accrington Stanley and Morecambe proved that it’s not a pipe dream.”

Peters is also keen to speak up for Connolly and said: “Andrew bought the club and saved them.

"He didn’t want to be involved on the frontline and wanted to leave that to others.

“They have gone now and the club is in trouble.”