Bedford Town boss explains surprise resignation

Bedford Town boss Lee Bircham says he announced he will quit at the end of the season despite having two games to go because he has "not enjoyed a minute" of their time in National League North. When The Eagles won promotion by winning the Southern League Premier Central title last season, he said they had "struck it lucky" because of the size of the club's playing budget. But despite that remaining an issue, they are currently 17th in the North table - the second tier of non-league football - with 51 points and in with a good chance of staying up.

Bircham announced his decision to quit following Saturday's 2-2 draw with Hereford but will remain in charge until the end of the season. He told BBC Three Counties Radio's Non-League Show that with the level of resources the club has, it "couldn't work for another year". The 49-year-old said: "This year's been really tough and if I'm honest I've not enjoyed a minute of it.

It's too tough for a club like us, we're fighting tooth and nail, we cannot believe we're on 51 points, we've given ourselves a right chance. "I don't think people realise the resources and finance involved in that league. "I've got the best owner I've ever had in John Taylor, he's got a few quid but he's not a multi-millionaire, he can't be funding the club and losing hundreds and thousands every year to do it.

" The Non-League Show: Titles, relegations and stadiums Read Bedford Town statement on Lee Bircham's resignation 'Oliver Twist' club Bedford Town celebrate promotion They were involved in merger talks with Bitcoin-funded neighbours Real Bedford early last year , but they came to nothing and the clubs remained separate entities. Their first competitive meeting will take place in the Bedfordshire Senior Cup final at the end of the season. But Bircham is more concerned about Town's tough remaining league games against second-placed South Shields and Scarborough Ahletic, who are fifth.