Eagles have been hit with a double whammy after it was announced that both manager Stuart Bimson and Football Management Committee (FMC) chairman Dave Thomas have quit.

The shock departures leave the club, who only have six confirmed players registered for next season, in chaos with the start of the new
BGB Southern League Premier Division season just three weeks away.

Assistant boss Lee Howarth has taken over first team affairs on a temporary basis, while the club begin their search for a new manager.

Bimson, who took over from previous boss Nick Platnauer in February 2007, has resigned to take up a first team coaching role at Blue Square Premier outfit Cambridge United, while FMC chairman Thomas, who had been in his role for a little over two months, has also decided to leave immediately and has also relinquished his role as the club's press officer.

Thomas was keen to stress that it was 'pure coincidence' that both he and Bimson have decided to leave at the same time, and revealed he could no longer give the role his full attention.

He said: "For personal reasons I cannot give the commitment I want to the role.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed working with everybody at the club and wish everybody connected with Bedford Town all the best."

Meanwhile, two players coached by the departing Bimson, Steve Gentle and triallist Craig Daniel, have both paid tribute to the Liverpudlian, who ironically, will now be in the opposition dugout when Cambridge visit the New Eyrie for a pre-season friendly on Monday.

Gentle said: "He told us after the game against Stotfold on Tuesday that he has been offered a full-time opportunity which is obviously what he wants to do and it's a perfect opportunity for him really.

"He is a superb coach and has been really beneficial in my year and a bit at the club. The way he coached all the lads was first class and I think he'll do a really good job there."

Daniel echoed those comments, saying: "He's probably the best manager I've ever worked under and you can't blame him for moving on to bigger and better things."

The club have also said that one of the remaining five FMC members – James Smiles, Rita Mabbott, James Edmunds, Barry Stephenson or Gerry Edmunds – will be appointed as temporary chair of the committee at a meeting on Thursday, until a new member is elected.

Anyone interested in running for election is advised to contact Stephenson, through the club, by Friday, August 8.