Sutton Town manager Les McJannet has quit the club after six years in charge.

McJannet, who led the club to three promotions cited the "turmoil" at the crisis-ridden club behind his decision to quit.

"I have enjoyed my six years in charge at Sutton, but the recent turmoil has made me consider my position and I am now looking for a new challenge," he said.

The former Mansfield Town and Darlington defender added: "I am sad to be leaving, but all good things come to an end."

Meanwhile, a former official of troubled Sutton Town Football Club has called on Snipes Chairman Eric Hetherington to stand down without further delay.

Mr Hetherington has already put his 50 per cent stake in the Northern Counties East Club up for sale.

But former press officer Richard Button said: "The crisis at Sutton Town Football Club demands fresh ideas and fresh leadership. For the good of the club, Eric must stand down.

"Under Eric's stewardship Sutton Town has enjoyed remarkable success both on and off the pitch - the rapid rise up the Non-League Pyramid, three cup finals as well the development of the excellent facilities at the Fieldings all pay testimony to his leadership.

"Eric has every reason to feel proud of all of this and he written himself into the club's history book. However, with the club's very existence at stake all of his achievements could be wiped out and quickly forgotten.

"The club is heavily in debt, and players' wages remain unpaid from the season just completed. We are also witnessing the break up of the squad which has achieved so much. In short, Sutton Town FC is in meltdown.

"I sincerely believe that should Eric remain in charge, at best there will be an irreversible decline. At worst the club will not start the 2006/7 campaign.

"It would be a tragedy for a man who has done so much for Sutton Town Football club to be remembered only for its demise.

"I therefore call on him to stand down, with dignity and let new people who can restore the fortunes of the club take over."

Meanwhile, Mr Hetherington has insisted that the club would still be operating in the Northern Counties East League next season, but admitted that they were in a difficult position and in need of finance to pay off existing debts.

"There are plenty of people who want to take the club on, and I have no problem with that, but there has been no serious negotiation with me as yet," Mr Hetherington told Chad this week.

"I would welcome positive talks with them - I've had some contact with members of the consortium who wish to take the club on, but as yet no cards have been put on the table.

"I've taken the club as far as I can and would like to sell my shares and stand down as chairman, although I would also welcome the chance to stay with the club in some capacity.

"I've no doubts that the club will continue, speculation that we will go under is just idle gossip, but whether it will go on with me as chairman is another matter, as is the question of whether it will continue as a limited company or be run as a community club.

"We do need the finance to pay off the debts, which are not massive, but are made up of smaller amounts to a number of creditors. I've spoken to most of those, who are prepared to allow time for the club to pay them off."

It is understood that the consortium who wish to buy out Mr Hetherington's shares is made up of some of the existing committee members.