VETERAN manager Brian Smith has blasted the way Abingdon Town sacked him as a "disgrace".

Smith, 58, who only took over in the summer, was shown the door on Friday after a poor run of results has left Abingdon fighting relegation from Ryman League Division 2.

Smith said: "Over the period of three months, I watched in excess of 40 games of football to strengthen the club. I think the way I was dismissed was a disgrace and members of the committee should take lessons in diplomacy."

However, he vowed to bounce back. "I am a resilient person and love the buzz of the Ryman League," he said.

Smith was unhappy that Abingdon hadn't given him more time - and was especially disappointed to get the sack when he felt the team were showing an improvement.

"From the outset, Abingdon Town was a massive rebuilding job," he said. "At my appointment in July there was not one player in the club, so I was immediately fighting an uphill battle. It was pointed out in my interview that their priority was to stay up.

"Since my appointment, the playing staff has changed and we were actually becoming a better all-round side, and this week I was following players who would improve the side. I thought the team were turning the corner.

"At Abingdon Town I had a very, very tight budget and I worked within those restraints. I was given 15 games, which is 22 hours, to put right what had gone wrong in the past two seasons."

Despite receiving the sack, Smith stressed that he had no axe to grind with chairman Phil Evans or secretary Ted Quail.

"They are two icons in local football. They are terrific people," he said.

He also had praise for goalkeeper Colin Fleet and midfielder Roger Charles. "Their help will always be appreciated," he said.

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