Godmanchester Chairman Keith Gabb continued: We thank Ian for his service over the past few seasons but now we must move on. Karly and Eric will be looking to get more local players back in the side and hopefully that will get the attendances back up to

Godmanchester Chairman Keith Gabb continued: "We thank Ian for his service over the past few seasons but now we must move on.

"Karly and Eric will be looking to get more local players back in the side and hopefully that will get the attendances back up to where they should be."

Jackson has come under fire in the past for importing players from outside the local area and also dividing his time at Rovers with commitments at other clubs.

Jackson, who turned down two offers from United Counties League clubs in the summer, said: "The local people moaned about what has happened since I took over, but never backed the team.

"We had a meeting on a Monday night and on the Wednesday morning I had a phone call from the chairman and that was that."

Reserve team boss Karly Hurst was initially appointed caretaker manager but he has now been joined as joint manager by former Rovers boss Eric Cheesewright - the man who Jackson replaced in December 2004.

Hurst said: "It's all been a bit of a whirlwind really. I was aware that some senior players who have left the club were unhappy with what had been going on.

"I'm delighted to be able to work alongside Eric again who has been with Hemingford for the past two seasons.

"Now we have to take stock and see where we are. We have a fixture to fulfil on Saturday and currently only about 15 players signed on.

"I can't wave a magic wand but I'll be doing my best to bring some of the local senior players back to the club. It's going to be tough this close to the season, as a lot of players have pledged themselves to other clubs.

"I'm a Godmanchester boy, I love the club, and I'll be doing all I can to get us where we want to be.

"I was worried that the club was heading into decline the way we were going but hopefully we can steady the ship."

As if the off field merry-go-round were not enough, Rovers are concerned about their pitch, which has dried out in the recent hot weather.

Gabb said: "We've managed to postpone our first home game of the season against Whitton, and we don't have another scheduled until September, so hopefully we will have some rain before then."

Godmanchester finished 14th in last season's Ridgeons League Division 1.