Standing down after missing target

Appointed this season after switching from league rivals Petersfield Town in the summer, the Citizens boss stood down on Tuesday after the club's third successive defeat at Yate Town on Saturday ended any lingering hopes of making the EVO-STIK League Southern Division One South & West play-offs.

The club confirmed the departure of the former Plymouth Argyle, Fleet Town, Brockenhurst, Chichester City, Wick, East Preston and Midhurst & Eastbourne player, along with coaches Jamie Cotton and Jason Hampson, in a short statement on Twitter thanking them for their services.

The Citizens said: "We can confirm that Ian Saunders has today left his post as manager of Winchester City Football Club. We thank him for all his efforts and we would also like to thank Amo and Jamie Cotton for their hard work during the season."

A UEFA B coach and warrant officer in the Army, after being called away on military duty at short notice in February Saunders, pictured, enlisted old friend and former Gosport Borough number two Mick Catlin to take charge of first team affairs while he was away serving his country.

The Citizens are at home to Barnstaple Town at The City Ground on Saturday.

* Petersfield Town were officially relegated from EVO-STIK League Southern Division One Central on Saturday following their 1-0 defeat at home to Aylesbury FC at Love Lane.

Images courtesy of dailyecho.co.uk & winchestercityfc.co.uk

Follow the EVO-STIK League Southern on Twitter at @SouthernLeague1