Richard Dryden has left his post as manager of Blue Square South club Worcester City by mutual consent.
He was appointed to the job in November 2007 as a replacement for City legend John Barton who had taken over as caretaker manager following the departure of Andy Preece.
Dryden's first match in charge of City was a home 1-1 draw against Barrow in Blue Square North. City under Dryden went on to win nine games, draw a further five, and suffer ten defeats to finish the season in twelfth place: the same position as when he started.
City were transferred to Blue Square South for the following season and achieved a sixteenth-place finish after the club's financial plight had caused significant cuts to be made to Dryden's budget in mid-season.
With one of the smallest budgets in Blue Square South for this season things were always going to be difficult for the manager and he leaves the club in nineenth place and still involved in the FA Trophy and Worcestershire Senior Cup.
He will be replaced by his assistant and former City playing `legend` Carl Heeley, who has been given the job in a caretaker capacity until the end of the season.
Former City manager George Rooney will continue to assist in his capacity as football consultant.
Worcester City Football Club thanks Richard Dryden for all his extremely hard work and undoubted dedication to the job and has wished him all the best for the future.
(Kieran Mooney)
