Chipping Norton have hit back at suggestions by departing coach John Cant that he lacked backing from the club.

Cant resigned two weeks ago over what he called a lack of support and a difference of opinion over the future direction of the club.

"As a progressive coach, I wanted to the club to have ambition," said Cant. "But their attitude was they were quite happy to stay where they are and even accept relegation if it happened.

"I couldn't agree with that, and decided to quit," said Cant, who also has a paid job as Basingstoke RFC's development officer.

Unfortunately, Chippy's results in Southern Counties North did not reflect Cant's ambition, as they have lost every league game this season and stand rooted to the bottom of the table.

President Vince Murphy challenged Cant's assertion that he did not have the support of the club.

"This is clearly not true, as any inspection of the committee minutes and the club's cash books will show," said Murphy.

"There are any number of examples of the club trying to meet his every wish."

"Our policy was, and still is to gain promotion as soon as possible and for all sides to develop their potential to the full."

Until a new coach is found, the first team are being looked after by Andy Dawson, who has been heavily involved in the junior side of the club.

"We've got the most promising young set of backs in the county, but we're struggling up front," said former Chippy club captain Stan King.

"In my opinion, we were too quick to discard some of the old guys, because the youngsters just aren't heavy or strong enough."