Phil Mason will be sending out his Woodford United side for the last time on Saturday when they entertain Willenhall Town in their final BGB Southern League Division One Midlands fixture.
After five years at Byfield Road, Mason confirmed to chairman Andy Worrall that he would be finishing.
"I can't take the club any further, I've taken them to four cup finals and into the Southern League in my five years here and kept them up on a
shoe string this season, but it's time to move on," said Mason.
"I've had a great time here and I'm grateful to Andy Worrall for giving me my first job as a manager. I wish the club well for the future but I need to get back into football soon, it's all I've known since I left school at 16."
"We tried to keep Phil at the club, I think he wanted to stay as he feels part of the structure, but he wants a new challenge and I can understand that," said chairman Andy Worrall.
"He's been our most successful manager and we thank him for that. I would recommend him to any chairman, he's got a great appetite for the game and it won't be the same without Phil in the dressing room.
"But we must look to secure the long-term future of the club in the Southern League and I'm sure there will be several managers who would enjoy that challenge at Woodford."
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