EASTLEIGH have confirmed that ex-Saint Mark Dennis will NOT be returning to his post of assistant manager with the Blue Square Conference South club.

Dennis, a tough-tackling full-back during his Dell days, was placed on gardening leave' earlier this month with the club citing "personal issues with the board of directors".

Only last week, the 46-year-old angrily told a national newspaper that he had been falsely portrayed by the club and that his solicitors were "on the case", Since then he and Eastleigh have got together to draw a line under the matter once and for all.

A club statement issued yesterday said: "It is with regret that we announce Mark Dennis will not be returning to Eastleigh Football Club.

"We had wished that Mark would continue his role as assistant manager but, due mainly to irreconcilable differences between a senior board member and himself, he feels he is not able to continue.

"Mark has been an integral part of the club's climb up the non-League pyramid over the past five years and his vicious loyalty, allied to a top level of professionalism, has been second to none.

"His highly infectious level of energy, football know-how and bubbly nature will be sorely missed by most people at the club.

"The board wish Mark well for the future and would welcome him at the club at any time".

Dennis originally joined Eastleigh as director of football in the summer of 2003 and played a major part in their rise from the Southern League to the Conference South.

Three pages of non league football previews in today's Daily Echo.