Martyn Rogers has resigned as manager of Tiverton Town, Devon's top non-League football club.

The long-serving Town boss yesterday confirmed that he will be leaving the Ladysmead club on Friday.

Rogers' decision comes hours after Tiverton – who finished fourth bottom of the Zamaretto League Premier Division – were handed a reprieve and learned they will be playing Southern League top flight football for a tenth successive term next season.

Bristol-born Rogers, 55, said: "Obviously it was a decision I thought about for a very long time but I feel it's time for a change, a new challenge and also the club needs a fresh injection – and someone new as manager will, hopefully, bring that here.

"I think now is the right time for both parties. I have had 20 great years here and made great friends while I have been here; none of that will change but now it's a time for change.

"It's something that I decided a few weeks ago and it would not have mattered what division we were in next season, I would have still done the same thing.

"I obviously wish the club well and have already said I am delighted for the club that we are still going to be in the Premier Division next season but now it is time for me to step aside and let someone new take it on from here."

Rogers's resignation was confirmed by Tiverton chairman David Wright and a statement was released on the club's official website.

Wright said: "It's obviously a sad day for us because we are a family club and as such a lot of us have been together for a long time now.

"Martyn has been a massive part of the club and three times led us to Wembley as well as into the Southern League top flight from the Western League, so his record speaks for itself and so does the fact that he will be a hard man to replace."

Last season, Rogers clocked up his 1,000th match as manager of Tiverton and he was congratulated by Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson in person at the Premier League club's training ground.

Between 1993 and 1999, Rogers' yellows did not finish outside the Western League top two, winning the championship four times in those seven successful seasons.

After losing in the 1993 FA Vase final, Rogers' all-conquering side went on to win the competition twice in 1998 and 1999 at Wembley before gaining promotion to the Southern League.

In their first ever season in the Southern League (Division One), Tiverton finished fourth but the next year, 2001, they finished runners-up and claimed promotion to the Premier Division. Their best ever top flight finish was fourth, in 2003.

Wright was yesterday expecting to be flooded by applications for the attractive post, as manager of Devon's top non-League side.

Tiverton are not the only Southern League Premier side on the lookout for a new manager.

Weston-super-Mare are also hoping to appoint a successor to former boss Andy Gurney – the former Torquay United full-back – following the Seagulls' relegation from Blue Square South.

Meanwhile, Truro City are expected to confirm Lee Hodges as their new manager within the week.