IT WAS TIME TO CHANGE THINGS

Canning is axed as chairman says club needs fresh impetus

league, we’re not in a relegation position, but overall the results haven’t been good enough – it’s not even a question of results.

“At this football club what I’m looking for is a level, a level of performance and of how we play, and we haven’t reached that.

“Martin and I both agree about that, that’s why there is a need for change.

“I’ve only been the chairman, really, for seven weeks. I’ve got to give Martin the opportunity, support Martin and see if I think there is a long-term future there.

“Martin has had a terrible time in terms of the support, there has been a lot of negativity around it, so when I spoke to him, both of us felt that the best thing for the football club was to have a change.

“It’s hugely tough. Everywhere you go around this stadium there are photographs of Martin as a player or as a manager.

“I know Martin really well, and you will know that we like to have a succession plan for our players and for our staff. “Martin is a big part of this football club, he has done fantastically well, ten-anda-half years as a player and a coach, so it’s a sad day that he has been relieved.”

On Martin’s successor, Maitland said: “I can tell you that it’s unlikely to be somebody from within, certainly not in terms of the playing staff, so it’s a slight change.

“I’ve had 50 applications in the last