David Malone quit Winchester City for the second time this week - and says this time there'll be no coming back.

The club's director of football and chief benefactor says the club is having problems attracting new backers and won't be able to sustain Ryman League football next season if they win promotion from the Wessex League.

Malone only returned to the club last month after a few weeks on the sidelines for the same reason.

"I came back because I was concerned for the club's future, but made it clear that I could only help fund things if other financial support was forthcoming," he told me.

"Sadly, that support hasn't been found and, with regret, I don't think I can do any more.

"I'm suggesting that the club vastly reduce the wage bill in order to finance itself at Wessex League level."

Malone is known to be interested in linking up with a club higher up the football pyramid and it's possible that he could ease City's financial plight by taking some of the higher paid players with him.

"That's pure speculation at this stage, but it might prove beneficial for everyone," he told me.

Full story and report on City's win at Brockenhurst - see this week's Hampshire Chronicle