Wilkins goes despite record finish

Wilkins, pictured, left Victory Road on Wednesday after guiding the Blues to an eighth-placed finish in the Ryman Premier and the final of the Suffolk Senior Cup at Ipswich's Portman Road in April.

Appointed in October 2014 as the successor to Steve Ball, Wilkins was at the helm of Bury Town for 14 years and left the Suffolk club by 'mutual consent' following talks with Blues chairman Andy Crisp.

In a statement confirming his exit, Crisp paid tribute to their outgoing manager and told fans a statement on the appointment of his successor would be made in due course.

The Blues were leading the table at one stage last season and Crisp said: “It is with regret that Richard and the football club has parted ways. Richard had worked hard to succeed and has achieved our highest ever league finish along with a cup final appearance and we are extremely grateful for all his efforts.

"Over many months the club has continued to evolve towards more youthful changes and some hard work in the background has seen the foundations being placed to build a club structure rather than solely concentrate on a team.

"We remain focused on being competitive in the very challenging Ryman Premier Division, a level that we are punching above our weight in, and we will continue to fight it out against well established sides in large catchment areas and with better support.

"Our aims remain the same, to challenge at the top end of the league and to be pushing for a play-off place. A further announcement on the new managerial set-up will be made in due course."

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