Robert Taylor said he was “devastated” after being sacked as Dereham Town manager. The former Manchester City and Wolves striker was at the helm during arguably the most successful period in the club's history.

Robert Taylor said he was “devastated” after being sacked as Dereham Town manager. The former Manchester City and Wolves striker was at the helm during arguably the most successful period in the club's history.

But the club's committee lost confidence in Taylor and felt some players were not behind him and he was dismissed on Monday night by 10 votes to one.

Dereham lost 4-3 to Sheringham in the Norfok Senior Cup semi-finals - but the club insisted the shock defeat by the Anglian Combination club was not the reason for Taylor's sacking.

Taylor said he was “absolutely gutted” at the news and believes he has been “pushed out of the club for no reason whatsoever.”

Club chairman Simon Barnes said he would not get in a public “slanging match” with Taylor. He said it had been “the hardest decision of his football life” to sack Taylor and he heaped praise on his achievements.

Rumours have been circling that some players would not stay at the club if Taylor remained and also that the ex-pro was looking to move to another management post.

Taylor fiercely denied both allegations. “I have got this club at heart and I had no desire to move to any other club. The rumours are false. I live in Dereham and my kids go to school in Dereham, and that is why I moved here.”

Skipper Adam Gusterson will be in charge until the end of the season.