MITCH COOK accused his players of letting him down after he was sacked by Pickering Town.

The former Bridlington manager was relieved of his position a week ago after the Recreation Ground-based outfit lost 2-1 at Parkgate in the Northern Counties East League premier division.

A club statement said the decision to part ways was made by "mutual consent" but Cook, who launched a bitter attack on some members of his squad, maintained he had been axed.

Bringing to an end his second spell at Mill Lane, Cook was furious after discovering that following the 1-1 draw with Garforth Town, in what turned out to be his penultimate game in charge, a number of his squad defied his orders and played the following day in Sunday league matches.

He said that showed "a lot of disrespect to me and the club".

"Having been in the game long enough, it was not a surprise," Cook said of his dismissal. "It was mutual consent to agree I was sacked. I spoke to Keith (Usher, chairman) the previous Sunday. He seemed pretty happy. We were on a three game unbeaten run.

"Going into Parkgate, it was a game we were expected to win and hoped we would win. We didn't. From there, I spoke to Keith on the bus. He intimated what was happening and he rang the next day and said the committee had decided for a change.

"There's nothing you can argue with. I have been there long enough to know these things happen. They expected a good season.

"The thing I am disappointed with is the players - the players that I knew and that I bought into the club with Tony Hackworth. We finished last season on a good run and in a reasonable position.

"We felt we strengthened the squad and the committee gave us a bit of extra money and the players there received a bit more. We haven't performed and that is disappointing. What disappointed me most was on the Saturday we played Garforth and drew 1-1.

"We didn't play in good conditions and we had a long trip to Parkgate on the Tuesday. I found out that five of the players had played on Sunday morning. On that Tuesday night we had no legs and failed to compete.

"We had asked them not to play. Pickering Town pay them expenses or money and they don't have a benefactor. They have a hard working committee. I feel let down by the players. They let the committee and the club down and they let themselves down."

Asked whether that had compromised his authority and left club chiefs with little alternative but to fire him, Cook added: "If I was the committee that is the answer I would come up with. That they aren't taking any notice and that a change is needed. I've no qualms. I am bitterly disappointed but I have nothing with the club or the committee.

"I think it showed a lot of disrespect to me and the club."

Cook left Pickering in 13th place in the NCEL premier table, with 19 points from 17 games. On his future plans, he added: "You always want to get back into the game as soon as possible.

"It will be difficult. I have had two goes at Pickering and I was at Bridlington. If you are not going to travel long distances there is not much more at this level. I will speak to anyone who is interested."