THE decision of Ludlow Town's long serving secretary and fixture secretary John Nash to resign on the eve of new Midland Alliance season ended an association with the club that goes back over 50 years.

Nash, who was presented with a long service award by the Football Association during the interval of Town's Shropshire Senior Cup semi-final which marked the opening of the splendid new Coors Stadium, was taken by his father to watch Ludlow Town in the early 1950s.

He wished to stress that his resignation was not down solely to a break down in communication with club chairman Peter Gwilliam over a clash of Midland Alliance and West Midland League fixtures.

Nash added: "This was the final straw in a series of events which I perceived as interference in my role, and a general lack of appreciation in the work I did for the club."

When asked to comment, club chairman Peter Gwilliam said: " I am very sad that John has made this decision as he is well respected and admired at the club. I only responded to telephone calls from league officials who were adamant that we could not host a Midland Alliance and West Midland League match simultaneously.

"The leagues will have to resolve this as there will be other clashes later in the season.

"The stadium was purpose built to host two matches at the same time."