EDDY Haslam has left Winsford United after Blues’ latest defeat left them occupying a relegation position in the North West Counties League Premier Division table.

The club confirmed it had parted company with the manager following a 2-1 home reverse against fellow strugglers Bacup & Rossendale Borough yesterday, Saturday.

It marked a sixth defeat from their past seven league matches.

“Recent results have left us in a relegation place and that is unacceptable,” said chairman Mark Loveless in a statement.

He said that Haslam’s successor will be a man who has managed previously at Premier Division level, or higher.

Blues have invited applications for the vacancy, setting a deadline for the end of tomorrow, Monday.

Haslam, 56, only took charge less than a fortnight before the start of the season following previous manager Lloyd Morrison’s surprise departure to a higher-ranked club.

Almost all of a squad that took Blues to fifth in the standings last season, plus a victory in the Mid-Cheshire District FA Senior Cup final, followed him out of the Barton Stadium exit.

Blues then proceeded to win three of their first four matches, adding only a further three in the 16 since.

Loveless added: “Eddy came in at a difficult time, just two weeks before our first league game and with only one player left on the books.

“He put together a good squad, and the early results were remarkable considering the circumstances. We’re grateful for the hard work he put in.”

Blues still have more than half of their fixtures to play this term, starting next Saturday with a home date against rock-bottom Wigan Robin Park.