John Moules put family considerations ahead of football in deciding to step down as Ebbsfleet United’s chairman and acting chief executive.

Mr Moules, who stepped down last week, said: "I was working unpaid for the last five months and in these difficult times, I needed to get a paid job.

"When I return from a family holiday, I shall decide what I’m going to do next.

"Ideally, I want to stay in football. In the meantime, I shall continue working as a national assessor for the Premier League and the Football Association. "

Although financial constraints have left manager Liam Daish working with the smallest budget of any club in the Blue Square Premier, Mr Moules believes Ebbsfleet have what it takes to tough it out.

He said: "It will be hard for Liam but the budget is gradually being increased through donations. More than 30 players are having trials with the club, all looking for contracts. So it’s a question of who is affordable.

"The good news is that the debt is under control."

Mr Moules, who joined the club in June, 2008, is due to step down in mid-July. No annoucement has been made regarding his successor.