SHAWBURY United manager Dave Richards and assistant Stu Lewis have stepped down from their roles with two games of the season remaining.

United – who host Cradley on Saturday – are five points above the West Midlands Premier Division relegation zone but should be safe despite a disastrous run of 13 defeats in 18 games.

Richards will remain at United in his role as chairman, focusing particularly on youth matters, while Lewis is mulling over an offer to stay on too.

Richards said: “We had a chat with the committee and we have agreed in the best interests of the football club moving forward to let someone else come in and run the team.

“I’ve had eight years as manager and we’ve won everything there is to win. Like all good things, it has come to an end.

“We won the West Midlands League and the Shropshire Senior Cup when we beat TNS, who had seven players that had played in the Champions League, those were the highlights.”

Shawbury, who have agreed to continue their lease at Ludlow FC for at least another season, will new announce their new managerial team this summer.