ROMSEY Town have sensationally sacked former Saints striker Nicky Banger - just 17 days into his role as commercial manager for the Sydenhams Wessex League Division 1 club.

Banger started his new post at the By-Pass Ground on January 1 and only last week in the Pink spoke about how he hoped to emulate clubs like Salisbury City and their rise up the non-league ranks at Romsey.

But things quickly turned sour with rumours spreading like wildfire throughout the non-league circuit that Banger was announcing himself as the future team manager while allegedly tapping up players in readiness for next season.

Speaking to the Daily Echo yesterday Banger labelled the allegations "completely rubbish and unfounded" and claimed his sacking was a "smokescreen for something."

But by then it was too late.

The whisperings had reached the club by midweek and it was at a hastily arranged meeting on Wednesday evening to discuss the matter that the club's committee decided Banger's fate.

A club statement released by Romsey Town chairman Ken Jacobs said: "Following our meeting it was felt that we no longer require the services of Mr Nicky Banger.

"He was appointed by Clive Wilson as the club's commercial manager but what we have found is that he has taken it upon himself to approach other players from other clubs and state that he would be the Romsey Town manager from next season.

ROMSEY Town have sensationally sacked former Saints striker Nicky Banger - just 17 days into his role as commercial manager for the Sydenhams Wessex League Division 1 club.

Banger started his new post at the By-Pass Ground on January 1 and only last week in the Pink spoke about how he hoped to emulate clubs like Salisbury City and their rise up the non-league ranks at Romsey.

But things quickly turned sour with rumours spreading like wildfire throughout the non-league circuit that Banger was announcing himself as the future team manager while allegedly tapping up players in readiness for next season.

Speaking to the Daily Echo yesterday Banger labelled the allegations "completely rubbish and unfounded" and claimed his sacking was a "smokescreen for something."

But by then it was too late.

The whisperings had reached the club by midweek and it was at a hastily arranged meeting on Wednesday evening to discuss the matter that the club's committee decided Banger's fate.

A club statement released by Romsey Town chairman Ken Jacobs said: "Following our meeting it was felt that we no longer require the services of Mr Nicky Banger.

"He was appointed by Clive Wilson as the club's commercial manager but what we have found is that he has taken it upon himself to approach other players from other clubs and state that he would be the Romsey Town manager from next season.

"Romsey Town wish to apologise to those clubs and the players concerned. There is of course no truth in the matter."

Banger, who scored 11 goals in 62 Saints appearances between 1990 and 1995, said yesterday: "The things they have said are completely rubbish and unfounded. To suddenly come out and say this with no proof of what they are saying is weird. It is just players saying things and anyone who knows what non-league football is like knows this is a load of rubbish.

"Maybe Trevor Holmes feels threatened by me. He didn't want me to help take training, he didn't want me to come to the games. He felt he didn't need me as a player.

"Even as an ex-Saint he didn't think I would warrant a place in the team or help the players out with my experience. That is weird with the experience I have got in non-league and professional football.

"It just seems this must be a smokescreen for something and I can only think Trevor is a bit concerned and insecure about his own future. I think Romsey will look back on what they have done and regret it."

Banger, who said he had already approached 30 local businesses about the possibility of ploughing money into the club, added: "I am quite chilled about the matter. I am glad it happened sooner rather than later. It would be worse for me if I was bringing in lots of money.

"I will look for another club to get involved in but if this is how non-league clubs operate then I don't want to be involved in non-league football. Maybe that's why they are at this level."

See Monday Sport for more reaction.