Iain Parr took charge of his last game as manager of St Neots Town yesterday after saying he was standing down to concentrate on youth development at the club.

St Neots were at Matlock Town in second round qualifying of the FA Trophy and the team lost 2-0 to bring an end to their run in the competition for another season and Parr’s 18 months at the helm.

Earlier, on the club’s official website, it was revealed that Parr would become a director of the club and continue his role as head of development – but that his tenure as first team manager was over.

“Having had open discussions with Lee [Kearns, the managing director] over the last few months about the possibility of having a more active role on both the development and commercial sides of the football club, I feel that it’s an opportunity too good for me to turn down – and so I have accepted the role with great anticipation and excitement.

“I now need to focus 100 per cent on my new role which unfortunately will not allow me to continue as first team manager – which also requires 100 per cent of my time and effort.

“My decision has been made even harder due to the current situation and a fresh input might also be required; however, we are all confident that whoever steps in will have the foundations in place to climb the table and as such I look forward to the rest of the season and will support the new first team manager in whatever way possible.”

The ‘situation’ Parr refers to is one that sees the Saints one off the bottom of the Southern League Premier Division with just six points from two wins in 13 games.

Parr was appointed as Dennis Greene’s successor 18 months ago after a short period as caretaker. The former youth team and first team player had come back to the club to oversee a restructuring of its youth set up.

Since then there have been some major steps on that front with strong links forged with Premiership side Norwich City and the launch of a full-time apprenticeship scheme for young players.

But, after two successive promotions to reach Step 3 of the non-league football ladder, things haven’t always gone to plan on the pitch.

St Neots finished 12th last season with the club shedding some of its higher paid players and introducing younger and less experienced talent. That has also been the case this season but there has been a revolving door at The Cozy Stadium as the team floundered in the league.

Lee Kearns wrote in the statement on the website: “Iain becoming a board director of St Neots Town gives us both the impetus to push on and pursue every possible avenue that presents itself, that will add to both our football development strategy and our commercial income streams.”