STEVE Burr was yesterday blamed for the problems that led Neil Redfearn to quit as manager of Northwich Victoria.

Redfearn refused to criticise either his players or club chairman Mike Connett for his decision.

But Connett said: "The problems really started when Steve Burr left. I don't blame Neil for the position we are in, I blame him.

"When he left we only had eight players. He decimated the squad.

"Neil had a hell of a job to try and bring players in."

Redfearn, the former Scarborough boss, 42, met with chairman Mike Connett on Sunday to discuss his position and on Monday it was announced he had left the club.

He told the Guardian: "It's been very frustrating. We have not been very far from getting a result.

"It's been difficult with the four best players leaving and, no disrespect to Mike, it's only a tiny budget.

"He was fantastic to me when I was there. There was a lot of change in a short space of time and it was really difficult.

"To be fair to the lads they gave me 110 per cent while I was in charge, but we were short of numbers in the team.

"In the end I thought it would be best for the club for me to leave, it was in their best interests."

Vics have had a disastrous start to the season claiming just one point from 27.

But Connett said he was sad to see the man he described as the 'best coach Vics have had' leave the club.

He said: "Neil realised it wasn't working out for him but I would still back him all the way. He's probably one of the best coaches we've had and it's a sad for the club that he decided to leave.

"I still believe he was let down by the players though. They are being paid a lot of money and they aren't performing."

Connett also warned he would pull out of the club if the crowds don't come through the turnstiles.

"There was 640 here on Saturday and we gave 150 tickets away to kids.

"The people of Northwich want football because there were 1,500 here to watch Manchester United Reserves, but it looks like they don't want Northwich Victoria.

"I won't keep funding the club if people from around here won't come and support them."

Ex-Blackburn striker Paul Warhurst, who only made his debut in Saturday's game against Histon, temporarily took charge of the team for last night's game against Halifax and Connett said if he impresses he would give him the job.

"We've had ten applicants so far but if Paul Warhurst does the business then the job's his."