Jimmy Brattan has dramatically resigned as Huntingdon Town manager - less than 24 hours after they contested a cup final.

Brattan’s exit from the Jubilee Park hotseat was announced by the club this evening (Tuesday). Town were beaten 4-0 by higher-level Yaxley last night in the Hinchingbrooke Cup showpiece.

That brought the curtain down on Brattan’s first and only season at the helm. He guided Town to 12th position in United Counties League Division One after being in sole charge since the October sacking of co-boss Ryan Hunnings.

Town chairman Doug McIlwain declared himself ‘upset’ by the sudden departure of his manager and believes a lack of a playing budget was a factor.

McIlwain said: “It is always sad to lose someone from an important position at a football club.

“I must stress that Jimmy has decided to move on - it certainly wasn’t a decision from the club.

“He sent me a message today saying that, following a chat with his wife, he has decided to call it a day. I have to admit his resignation didn’t come as a complete surprise.

“There are lots of rumours and speculation about what players in our division get paid and Jimmy had told me he feared we would lose lads due to not having a budget ourselves.

“We are still trying to build Huntingdon Town back up again and it is clearly going to be a long process. The sponsorship and revenue simply isn’t there for us to be able to pay players next season.

“That may lead to some of them leaving during the summer, but anyone who does that to better themselves will go with my best wishes.

“The same applies to Jimmy. He’s a great man to have around and I would not put any other chairman off hiring him if they are in need of a manager. It was a fantastic achievement to reach the Hinchingbrooke Cup final .

“But we now have to focus on the future. We’re not just looking for a new manager - we’re looking for a management team to come in and build on the work that Bob Warby started and Jimmy then built on this season.”

Brattan could not be contacted by the Hunts Post this evening.

Anyone interested in the vacant Huntingdon post should contact McIlwain by email at chairman@huntingdontownfc.com