King’s Lynn Town ‘upset’ at Ian Culverhouse’s shock decision to quit

The Linnets' have issued a statement expressing 'upset' at Ian Culverhouse's surprise announcement he intends to leave the Southern Premier Division promotion hopefuls at the end of the season.

Ian Culverhouse and King's Lynn Town chairman Stephen Cleeve in happier times. Picture: Ian Burt - Credit: Ian Burt

The former Norwich City player and Paul Lambert's assistant gave an interview to the Non League Paper confirming he plans to quit The Walks outfit, who are locked in a promotion battle to join champions Hereford in the National Leauge set-up.

The club have now responded on their official site in a statement that read:

'King's Lynn Town football club have this morning been made aware of comments made by our manager Ian Culverhouse in Sunday's Non League Paper regarding his future at The Walks.

'In early February the club received a written three month notice from Ian stating that he wished to be released early from his contract at the club at the end of the 2017/18 season.

Ian Culverhouse is seeking a fresh challenge after his first foray into management at King's Lynn. Picture Matthew Usher.

'On receipt of the letter Ian and club chairman Stephen Cleeve met and agreed to an option that further talks would take place at the end of the regular season or after any play-off games where Ian's position would be discussed.

'Following these talks if it was Ian's wish to still leave the club an announcement would be made by the club of that decision following the meeting.

'The club also wish to reiterate that it has received no enquiries for Ian Culverhouse's services from Cambridge United despite last week's rumours.

'King's Lynn Town football club are very upset in regards to Ian's actions and feel by making the decision to speak with the Non League Paper on these matters could seriously disrupt these last few important weeks of the season.

'The club also wishes to clarify that Ian gave no indication to either the club's media team or local journalists of his decision when speaking with them following Saturday's game with St Neots.'

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The club's statement was sparked by Culverhouse's comments to the Non League Paper.

'King's Lynn is a great football club with some really good people and has a terrific fan base,' he said, in the article.'I couldn't have asked for a better football club to start with. I'll always appreciate the opportunity they gave me.

'For King's Lynn to be at the top with the big boys has been a big turnaround.

'It's making sure now that we cement that second spot going into the play-offs.

'It's then a case of getting myself back in somewhere and a new project.

'I'd love to manage in a higher league, it all depends what the football club is after and it has to be the right fit for me.

'Location is not a problem, I've always travelled. I'm looking for a project I can go into and try to put my style of play into it.

'There have been a lot of things going on behind the scenes this year that I've had to question.

'People see a winning team on the pitch and they think everything is rosy, but there have been some issues which I'm not sure will be resolved.

'I feel it is the right time to move on and I would really love to end on getting the club up.'