WHITSTABLE Town FC chairman Joe Brownett says that manager John Roseman has been was sacked because the club were worried about losing their good reputation.

The Town boss was dismissed after the committee decided that the manner in which he conducted himself at matches was no longer acceptable. Matters had been brought to a head last weekend when Town received a letter from the Bass Brewers Kent League about Roseman's behaviour in the New Year's Day derby against Herne Bay.

The Town manager was reported by Kennington referee Paul Kelly after he was pulled up for shouting at the official from a position behind one of the spectator barriers. When asked who he was, Roseman claimed he was a spectator, prompting Mr Kelly to ask Town fixture secretary Bruce Smith for clarification.

Mr Brownett admitted the letter from the league was the final straw for the committee, saying that he had spoken to Roseman before about his conduct towards referees.

He added that the committee had also become worried about team morale, particularly following a recent attempt by Roseman to sack players Steve Sodje and Ray Aboagye after a disagreement with them. "John's been walking a tightrope for some time and we could no longer turn a blind eye," said Mr Brownett.

"We received a letter from the league which said John did not admit to being an official of the club, and we felt we had to act upon it. The whole situation has caused us embarrassment. The club has lost its reputation of late."

Roseman has defended his disciplinary record off the pitch and his side's performance on it in the wake of his sacking. He said: "In the time that I have been here, I have never been booked, red carded, suspended or fined.

"I have never sworn at referees and no one has ever reported the club for failing to control their officials. I think the club were just looking for excuses to get rid of me."

Roseman added that he had been the most successful manager at the club for 22 years. He won the Kent Senior Trophy last season, the club's first silverware for 21 years, and this year earned the club £8,500 from a good run in the AXA FA Cup.

"My team also beat our rivals Herne Bay three times this season, and we are still in the Kent League Cup." Roseman insisted that he had tried to sack Steve Sodje and Ray Aboagye because he had been told to make cutbacks.