One of the Thurlow Nunn League's most promising managers has stunned his club by resigning little more than a month before the end of the campaign.

Wayne Anderson, 40, will take charge of Premier Division Fakenham Town for the final time during Saturday's trip to FC Clacton before departing Clipbush Park to take up a role with a team at a higher level. The highly-rated boss' departure comes as a huge shock with the Ghosts sitting 13th in the 20-team table.

Anderson said: 'I have had five great years at Fakenham and it's a club that means a lot to me so I'll go with nothing but great memories. The early years were a challenge but the ambition was always to bring this club back to the Premier Division, which we did last season thanks to the hard work and efforts of everyone involved on and off the field.

'I know they can go on and have success in the coming years and there are some very good youngsters coming through. It's tough to leave that behind but I'm not going on bad terms. It's purely an opportunity coming up at the right time that I feel I have to take.'

The former King's Lynn midfielder swapped the hot-seat of Downham Town for Fakenham, then rock-bottom of the Eastern Counties' second tier, in January 2010. Anderson improved the Ghosts' position season-on-season, culminating in promotion back to the top-flight for the first time in 10 years as runners-up.

'We're sorry Wayne will be leaving us but he is ambitious and we felt we couldn't stand in his way,' said Ghosts' director of football Geoff Saunders.

'He has put in a tremendous amount of work for this football club over the years and he has done a brilliant job. Winning promotion to the Premier Division last season was a fantastic achievement, as is consolidating our position this season, and Wayne will leave us in good health.

'Wayne is a well-liked individual who has done many good things for Fakenham Town in his time in charge so we thank him for everything he has done and wish him all the best for his future career.

Top scorer Robbie Harris and first-team coach Neil Jarvis will take over until the end of the season as joint caretakers after the weekend's trip to Essex – which suspended keeper Tommy Rix and Matty Franks are ineligible for.

Saunders added: 'In Robbie and Neil we have two very capable people who know the club and the league very well and they will guide us through to the end of the season.'