CHEPSTOW Town manager Chris Lilygreen has been asked to step down from his role at the club's helm, with assistant boss Wayne Samuels taking over as caretaker boss last week.

Lilygreen left his manager post by mutual consent last week after a run of poor results. But Samuels has confirmed that though he is happy to fulfil any role required of him at Town, he merely intends to keep the bench warm until a more experienced manager with necessary player contacts comes in.

He also revealed that the main cause for Lilygreen's departure was that other potential signings have "let him down".

Samuels said: "Chris has been asked to step down, the only reason being that a lot of players have said they would come to the club and they haven't done it.

"We need some more experience and Lils has tried to bring new players in - he couldn't have done any more than he has - but he's been let down."

"The last couple of games we have played some good sides and we haven't been run over by any means. He's done all he possibly could and worked damn hard, but the 3-0 defeat to Pentwyn Dynamos was the final straw I guess."

But Lilygreen, 41, stays on at Chepstow as a player and contributed to the club's surprise 1-0 win at Goytre on Saturday. And 44-year-old Samuels, who partnering Lilygreen in attack towards the end of the match, welcomes Lilygreen's continuing contribution both on and off the pitch. He said: "Chris was great on Saturday, giving 110 percent up front, so long may he continue as a player.

"I've known him for a long time and I'll still consult him every now and again. The only thing that changed on Saturday was that we won."

Local speculation has linked former boss Barrie Vassalo, whose son Nicky plays for the club with a possible return. But on the subject of a new boss, Samuels added: "I remain just doing what I was doing, and that will continue until someone else comes in.

"There have been some names bandied about the club and I'm happy to hand over to whoever comes in. I've always said that what's best for the club is what's best for me and I will fulfil any role the club wishes me to do."