Craig Tanner admitted that the timing his sacking as manager of Tooting & Mitcham United came a shock.

The former Sutton United, Met Police and Hampton & Richmond Borough defender takes his Terrors to the London Senior Cup final tonight (Thursday) in his last game in charge.

He and assistant manager Adam Moriarty will be replaced by former Terrors academy manager Frank Wilson as boss, and Mark Hams as his assistant.

The announcement of their departure came on the eve of the final game of the domestic season, which United won 5-0, ending the duo’s 23-month reign.

Tanner admitted he was in the dark over the reasons for his dismissal.

“We’ve brought about a better atmosphere at the club, the fans are enjoying the football and we’re playing good football,” he said.

“Adam and I always had a three-year plan and we felt we were in a good position to build on this season.

“If you look at the likes of Merstham and Burgess Hill Town, they both went up this year on the back of keeping a core of players and management for the past three seasons or more.

“Had we not made the play-offs next year, then the decision to change the management team would have looked better to the outside world.”

He added: “But it was a shock – there had been rumours circulating in February, and it’s a little strange that it’s Frank [Wilson] as I brought in him into the club as academy manager.

Wimbledon Times:

Missing: Unless holiday plans are changed, Billy Marshall will miss tonight's London Senior Cup final

“But the club have made the decision and that happens in football – it’s just disappointing how it came about.

“In the meeting I had with the board they just said they wanted to take the club in a different direction, and that it was the right time for a change.”

Tanner says he and Moriarty have already been approached by Ryman League clubs, and they have already turned down two offers.

Ahead of the London Senior Cup final, Tanner is without Billy Marshall (holiday), Lewis Gonsalves (cup tied) and Stefan Cox (suspension).

He said: “Hendon will have one eye on the Ryman Premier play-offs, so we’ll have to see what sort of side they put out.

“They might play a strong side to prepare them for the play-offs, or they might choose to rest some players.”

He added: “Whichever way they approach it, my players are up for the match.”

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