EX-SAINT Jon Gittens is keeping tight-lipped about his reasons for quitting Sydenhams Wessex League outfit Fareham Town.

Only three months after leading Town to the Hampshire Senior Cup final at St Mary's, the 40-year-old former Southampton and Portsmouth defender said resigning was his "only option" following a meeting with club owners The Ralls Group.

Gittens has transformed Fareham's fortunes on the pitch since taking over two and half years ago, leading them to fifth and seventh in successive seasons.

But cracks appeared behind the scenes a couple of weeks back when Gittens publicly criticised the board's decision to scrap Town's reserves and allow Havant & Waterlooville's second string to use the pitch instead.

While admitting he didn't know all the ins and outs of the club's decision, he fumed: "It just puts more obstacles in front of what I'm trying to achieve."

Gittens had also suffered the blow of having last season's leading scorer Jamie Musselwhite wooed away by wealthy FA Vase winners Winchester City, yet prior to Monday's meeting, he seemed ready to carry on.

Confirming his decision to quit, Gittens, below, said: "I told the Ralls Group I wouldn't comment until they have made a press statement.

"All I can say is that I'm very grateful for the support I got from the players, who are a fantastic bunch, and from an exceptional group of supporters who followed the club around.

"I haven't parted company with Fareham on bad terms. There's no animosity and I thank the Ralls Group for giving me the opportunity.

"I felt I did well and achieved over and above what they asked.

"I'm happy with what I did and I believed we were going into the new season with the best equipped squad we'd had in the two years I was there.

"We'd lost Jamie Musselwhite, but we would have coped. There were more players wanting to join than leave."

Managing Fareham involved more than just matchdays and training nights for Gittens. He was the figurehead for ten teams catering for junior boys, girls and ladies through to the youth, reserves and first team.

He even took on the role of acting secretary last season when Fareham's late secretary, Malcolm Harper, was seriously ill.

Chairman Bob Ralls declined to comment on Gittens' resignation until a press statement is issued later this week.