ST NEOTS Town manager Steve Lomas and chairman John Delaney have made a sensational return to the club just days after resigning. Delaney announced his resignation on Thursday, saying he felt his integrity had been called into question, and Lomas followed

ST NEOTS Town manager Steve Lomas and chairman John Delaney have made a sensational return to the club just days after resigning.

Delaney announced his resignation on Thursday, saying he felt his integrity had been called into question, and Lomas followed him out of Rowley Park on Friday. Long-term club servants Mel Hancock, the director of football, and Peter Naylor, club secretary, also resigned in support of Delaney.

But after a weekend meeting with the board of directors, Delaney accepted the invitation to return, paving the way for Hancock, Naylor and Lomas to rejoin as well.

Speaking to The Hunts Post, Lomas said: "I'm a very loyal person, and I felt that my obligation was to John. When he left, I felt on a point of principle that I could not stay. It was a tough decision to take.

"But with John coming back, the issues involved have been cleared up, and I am delighted to be back at St Neots. I'm very glad that John has returned, because the club needs people like him.

"Now I just want to start concentrating on the football again, and get this club moving forward as it should be."

Delaney said that the problems that led to his departure had been resolved and promised supporters a clear-the-air public meeting to bring the club together.

"I think we will see new people coming into the club, including at board level. We have big plans for this club, and I want to make sure it keeps developing," he said.

Delaney dismissed suggestions that the off-the-pitch distractions could disrupt Saints' promotion push, and would not reveal details about what had sparked his resignation, saying he had drawn a line under it.

"This may have made us look a bit daft on the outside, but the decision was taken on a point of principle. I did not want to leave, and I am very happy to be back.

He added: "I think the way people have rallied to show their support for the club in the past week has actually galvanised the club. I have been very touched by the number of supportive messages I have received.

"We now realise how important the club is to all of us and, in a perverse way, we could actually emerge the stronger for it."

A statement issued by St Neots director Stuart Walters said: "We wish to go on record to state that we regret that John was placed in a position whereby he felt his integrity was being questioned and the subsequent upset this has caused him and his family.