DEPARTING assistant manager Steve Brown is leaving Pickering Town with his head held high – and has called on the club to confirm the reasons for boss Jimmy Reid’s sacking, writes Richard Lillie.

Brown’s 23-year association with the Pikes ended on Monday in the wake of Reid’s exit last week, and the popular management duo will be followed out of the club by a host of players.

Simon Sturdy, Tom Adams, Steve Baxter, Dean Readman, Thomas Reid and Arran Reid have now all left the club, following their former manager through the exit door.

Brown and coach Dean McAuley, who is also leaving, took charge of the Pikes’ 7-2 Northern Counties East League premier division thrashing of second-placed Thackley on Saturday.

The assistant boss praised all the players for their effort and commitment.

“Before the game I told the players the situation at the club and a lot of the players knew it would be their last game,” he said. “After going 1-0 down in the first minute, the players responded brilliantly and to be 5-1 up at half-time was superb.”

Brown spoke of his disappointment at leaving Town but also of his fond memories of his time with the Pikes.“I’ve been at the club for 23 years as a player, coach and assistant-manager,” he said. “It is a very sad week for everyone connected to the club.

“I am very proud of the things Jimmy and I achieved, and we both leave the club in a far better shape than when we took over.”

Reid and Brown, who took over in December 2011 with the Pikes struggling in the league, led the club to fifth place last season, as well as winning the North Riding Senior Cup, a first for the Mill Lane outfit.

Reid was sacked after a 4-0 loss to Barton Town Old Boys last midweek, but Brown remains convinced that the result was not a factor in the decision.

Brown said: “I know we had a bad couple of results but before that we won four games on the bounce and we were looking really strong.

“I think the decision to sack Jimmy was really strange and I would like the club to come out and explain their decision.

“The club is giving the perception that the bad results were to blame for the sacking, but I do not believe that this is the case.”

The Pikes went a goal down to Thackley after 42 seconds when Nicholas Matthews scored with a fine header.

On seven minutes, the Pikes levelled when Adams crossed from the right to Joe Danby, who scored on the turn.

The last 11 minutes of the first half saw the Pikes turn on the style as they cruised into a 5-1 interval lead.

Danby netted again on 34 minutes and Josh Greening then grabbed an eight-minute hat-trick with goals after 37, 42 and 45 minutes.

The Pikes added to their goal tally on the hour mark when Adams scored after good work by Danby.

Arran Reid made two outstanding saves to deny David Brown and Readman blocked an effort on the goal line.

Eventually Brown scored for Thackley on 83 minutes, but Danby completed his hat-trick in the last minute.

Pickering (v Thackley): Reid A, Reid T, Batchelor (Dalton 61), Readman, Sturdy, Taylor, Patterson, Adams (Cook 64), Danby, Greening (Lock 77), Shepherd. Subs not used: Hawkes, Myers. Attendance: 120.

The Pikes visit Albion Sports on Saturday (3pm). Albion Sports play at Farsley Celtic’s Throstle Nest ground.