Dale Brooks admits it was a tough decision to call time on his spell as Lowestoft Town boss.

The former Southend United Under-21 boss handed in his notice on Tuesday in the latest blow to the beleaguered Blues.

Brooks helped stabilise the club on the pitch and steer the Trawlerboys clear of relegation amidst a backdrop that hasn't seen the players properly paid for months.

Brooks had been looking to build a squad to be competitive next season but he admitted the financial landscape was proving too tough for him to take on.

'It was a really difficult decision - I really didn't know what I was going to do until midday on Tuesday,' said Brooks, who is still owed money by the Blues.

'I was still looking for players up until that point. That was an ongoing process as it had been since the last game of the season at Dorking.

'I want to be successful and I want to give everything that I've got but it was turning out to be too difficult.

'I couldn't attract the calibre of players that I wanted to.'

Brooks hopes his departure can pave the way for the club to decide how they want to run the Blues next season and encouraged the board to take their time in naming a successor to ensure they get the right man.

'It's time for a new chapter for the football club and myself,' he added. 'I've thanked everyone at the club for what they did - the fans in particular have been fantastic with me. I really hope they get the success they desire.

'The club has got to decide on a model they want and I think they probably need to think outside the box and see who wants to take it on.

'It's important now that the club decides upon the model they want that fits around the budget.'

Brooks admitted he spurned two opportunities to leave the Amber Dew Events Stadium last season but out of loyalty to the Trawlerboys he stayed.

He will now take his time before deciding on his next job.

'I'm going on holiday soon and after that I'll just be waiting for the phone to ring - we shall see what happens.'