CIVIL war appears to have broken out at Sleaford Town after long-serving manager Brian Rowland emphatically rejected claims by the club's chairman that he would quit at the end of this season.

Rowland has been in charge of Sleaford for more than 30 seasons and last term guided the United Counties League Premier Division side to the highest position in their history,

writes Sam Parker.

Club chairman Tony Farrow issued a statement this week claiming Rowland would step down following the final game of the season, on Saturday away to Daventry United.

The statement read: "Sleaford Town Football Club wish to announce that after a long and illustrious career as manager of the first team squad, Brian Rowland is to step down at the end of the 2009/10 season.

"Sleaford Town Football Club, together with the players, both current and past, as well as the supporters of the club, would like to thank Mr Rowland unreservedly for his loyal and unstinting service to the club over the past 30 years."

However, the announcement came as a surprise not just to Rowland but also to club president Dave Kelby, who said he had not discussed the matter with Farrow.

An angry Rowland refuted Farrow's claims and suggested the club's committee had not asked him to step down – contrary to claims made by Farrow.

"Of course I am aware that there have been efforts in certain quarters to have me removed from office at the end of the season," he said.

"This is surprising, considering the superb FA Vase and FA Cup runs and a final league placing that represents the highest-ever ranking in the 87 year history of the club, all achieved on a shoe-string.

"There has certainly not been any official request from the committee for me to stand down, and I understand that no such request is to be made. Nothing is for ever, but I would like to think that my resignation, whether next week, next month or next year, will be my own decision. After 36 years of loyal and very successful service, it is the least I deserve."

Kelby, who said he had not spoken to Farrow for a fortnight, said a meeting would be held in the near future to address the situation.

"The majority of the committee, including the manager Brian Rowland and myself, are not aware of the press statement released by Tony Farrow," said Kelby.

"A meeting has been arranged of the committee to address this and other matters. No further comment will be made."

Farrow's statement also included plans to turn the club into a limited company with "an elected non-exective community director on the board" and an annual general meeting held in London.

Farrow claimed Rowland had agreed to step down but claimed there had been no falling out with the popular Town boss.

"Brian and I have always got on like a house on fire," said Farrow.

"He still speaks to me and I hope he will continue to do so. Internally it would have been a shock (to him) but I am sure afterwards he may have thought it was a good thing to be stepping down after 30 years.

"Brian has done a good job but I felt and the committee felt that 30 years' (service) was enough.

"We gave Brian time to think about it having spoken to him a couple of weeks ago.

"He then spoke to the club secretary, Steve Thomas, and said he would agree to stay on until the end of the current season.

"We have a Sportsman's Dinner coming up in a couple of weeks and we would like to give him a nice reward for his service here."