Danny Cowley has decided to step down as Braintree Town manager.

The news broke after Cowley met with players and staff at the Avanti Stadium on Thursday evening following several days of speculation about his position.

His brother Nicky, who has been assistant manager for the past year, has also left the club.

It has not yet been confirmed where the Cowley brothers are heading but they met with Lincoln City chiefs yesterday to discuss a move to Sincil Bank.

Braintree chairman Lee Harding announced the news and said that he was disappointed to see Danny and Nicky go, but thanked them for the success they had brought the club during their year at the helm.

Danny was appointed boss on April 30 last year after the departure of Alan Devonshire and led the club to a record highest ever finish of third in the Vanarama National League.

That placed the Iron in the end-of-season play-offs before a 2-1 aggregate defeat over two legs of their semi-final by Grimsby Town ended dreams of a final date at Wembley this weekend.

Harding said in a statement: "Yes, it's a shame for us but, first of all, I would like to thank both Danny and Nicky for their efforts throughout their year at our Club.

"What they have achieved with the players has been remarkable.

"But it seems the offer of a £500,000 playing budget and full time status has proved to be too good for them to turn down.

"I think it is an incredibly brave decision on their parts, but I really do hope it works out for them - they are good people."

The news of the brothers' departure means that for the secodn time in just over 12 months the club are looking for a new manager.

When news broke earlier this week that Lincoln had been given permission to speak to Danny, Harding said he had seven applications for the position within the space of one morning and the chairman expected it to be an attractive proposition for prospective managers. 


He added: "Our thoughts now to turn to closer to home and we now seek applicants for the management role at the Avanti Stadium.

"The past twelve months have proved that part-time clubs and, in particular, Braintree Town can compete in this division.

"History shows us that some clubs choose to flirt with their financial futures in a desperate scramble to secure promotion to the Football League, but we prefer to build our Club on and off the pitch on more solid foundations.

"The windfall we have received from the play-offs will allow us to further improve both our playing budget and playing surface over the coming months and I now look forward to selecting the next manager of the club to continue our push towards our ultimate ambition."