Wisbech Town have been stunned by Dick Creasey's decision to quit as first-team boss – just weeks after commiting his future to the club, writes Gavin Caney.

Rumours were rife that the Fenmen's manager was going to walk away at the end of a campaign which saw his side finish third in the United Counties League Premier Division. And yesterday – only days after hugely influential midfielder Adam Millson departed to join Spalding – the speculation was proved to be true when Creasey called time on his second full-time stint in charge of Wisbech.

A club statement said: 'The board of Wisbech Town FC have this morning been informed by first team manager Dick Creasey that he will be stepping down as manager with immediate effect for personal reasons.

'Obviously this is a big blow to the club after announcing at the end of the season that Dick would be staying at the helm for the 2015/16 campaign. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Dick for his time at the club and wish him all the best for the future.'

The former Spalding and Holbeach chief – who won the UCL title in consecutive seasons with both teams – first arrived at Wisbech in December 2004 where he remained until May 2007. A brief comeback following Gary Setchell's switch to King's Lynn Town in 2010 helped pave the way for Steve Appleby to enjoy a lengthy tenure at the one-time Eastern Counties League outfit.

But Appleby's resignation in September 2013 – which came mainly as a result of the committee turning down promotion to Step Four of the non-league ladder – saw Creasey brought back into the fold to help caretakers Paul Cousins and Scott Johnson steady the ship. He went on to become joint boss with the former, guiding Town to a memorable FA Vase run which saw them lose in the quarter-finals to eventual winners Sholing, until he took sole charge at the start of last term.