Peterborough Sports have sacked manager Graham Drury who has reacted to the news

Drury, who quit Stamford AFC after a long spell in charge at the Zeeco Stadium at the end of last season, was only hired by Sports in May and he oversaw a large squad rebuild which involved the arrival of 12 new players, most of them from Stamford.

But Sports chairman/owner Tim Woodward has already lost faith in Drury returning Sports to the National League North at the first attempt even though they haven’t lost any of their last five league games. Sports are currently 12th in the table, but lost 3-1 at lower level AFC Rushden & Diamonds in the FA Cup on Saturday.

Woodward told the PT: “The board met and it a was a unanimous decision to let Graham go. Tactically I don’t think he had it in him to win us promotion. I have spoken to Graham on the phone and he thanked me for the opportunity, It was all very friendly.

"A decision will be made on Monday about who is in charge for our game on Tuesday.”

The PT contacted Drury and he said: “It’s football and I accept our sport is a results business. It’s the club’s prerogative to make the decisions they feel is best for them. It’s disappointing, but I wish the club all the best while I consider whether or not to dust off my CV,”

Drury (55) has been a manager for 28 years. He has reached the first round proper of the FA Cup which has long been a dream for Woodward and Sports.

Sports had won their last three home games and had started scoring freely so the departure will come as a shock to many.”

The club’s official statement read: ‘Peterborough Sports can confirm that manager Graham Drury has been relieved of his duties.

‘On behalf of everyone at the club, we would like to place on record our thanks to Graham for all his efforts during his time at PIMS Park.

‘Chairman Tim Woodward and the Board will now evaluate the club’s next steps before making any further announcements.’

Sports are at Leiston in the Premier Division Central on Tuesday (September 22).