DAVID Coyle has stepped down as FC Clacton manager.

The Seasiders boss resigned earlier today, weeks after leading the club to their best-ever finish in the Thurlow Nunn League.

A club statement described the news as a "terrible blow".

"It is with considerable regret that we have to announce that David Coyle has tonight stepped down as first team manager," said the statement.

"It's a massive blow but David lives on the other side of Norwich and the travel is just too much.

"We tried our very best to come to some sort of arrangement but, as you would expect from David, he would not carry on unless he could give the job the full attention and time it needed and so we very reluctantly have had to accept him leaving.

"Wherever he ends up next will be a better side for having him there and he leaves with our most sincere best wishes.

"This is a terrible blow for us, as we looked forward to pushing on and improving on a good season last year.

"Right now we do not know how we will get over the loss of someone we respect so highly, but we owe it to our supporters, players and everyone associated with the club to find the best person to lead us forward.

"The search to do so will begin immediately."

Coyle, who was in his second spell with the club, led Clacton to a tenth-place finish in last season's Thurlow Nunn League premier division.

It was the club's highest-ever finish.