NIGEL Tripp has branded the chain of events that led to his reinstatement as the manager of Corsham Town as “shambolic”, with the club now facing an uphill struggle for the rest of the season.

The Southbank saga, which began when Tripp was removed from his post last month, took another remarkable twist when he was dramatically reinstalled to the role after an extraordinary general meeting last week.

Last Thursday’s meeting was prompted after the club’s committee tendered their resignations following a split over the decision to axe Tripp, who only took over at the start of the season. That decision was overturned, with Tripp returning and Chris Perry being appointed as chairman.

Having regained control of team affairs, Tripp admits he hasn’t been impressed with how the club dealt with the situation, with nine players departing amid the confusion, leaving him with an uphill task to gather together a competitive squad for the final nine games of the season.

“I’m disappointed. The whole affair has been handled in a shambolic and unprofessional manner as far as I am concerned,” Tripp told the Gazette & Herald.

“The club’s reputation has been damaged. It was a well-run club but seven months of work have now gone down the pan because a few people had their own agenda.

“I feel sorry for the players because they worked hard all season and have taken a lot of stick because results haven’t gone our way.

“Just when we turned the corner with some decent results and performances, it has been stopped in its tracks.”

Currently 21st, Corsham are aiming to finish outside the bottom two of the Toolstation League Division One at the end of the season.

They lost 5-2 at Chard Town on Saturday – their third successive defeat – and Tripp added: “Now we are rebuilding a side two months away from the end of the season but as far as am concerned, that’s behind us now.

“I need to try and get us out of the bottom two. It is a big job but there are players at the club who are willing to roll their sleeves up and get on with it.

“We will have to get a few more players in but the squad was there. We had players there who could have served the club for years to come.

“That was the long-term plan, which has all gone up in the air now. It is about stabilising the club and getting on with it.’’

Following Tripp’s original sacking, former Bath City and Trowbridge Town player Barry Thompson was approached to become Town’s new manager, with an agreement reached in principle for him to take over from the start of next season, while former Corsham boss Mel Gingell stepped in as a caretaker for home matches with Roman Glass St George and local rivals Calne Town, both of which ended in defeat.

But with Tripp back in post, aPerry is now filling the role of chairman until the club meet again for their AGM in May, and faces the task of recruiting new committee members while trying to get the club back on track.

“I wouldn’t say it is embarrassing. It has been a difficult time but this happens at this level of football,” said Perry.

“We have lost a lot of very important officers over the last few years for one reason or another, so we’ve been low on numbers.

“I’m going to try and get some new faces at the club. We are still demanding a lot from the people who are involved.

“That has ended up as a lot of pressure and tension around the place but we are over that now and moving forward.

“I’ve got contacts for a number of people who have been at the club and I am trying to see if they’re interested in being involved.

“We will also be having an open meeting in the next few weeks to see if there are people within the Corsham community who would be willing to give their time.”

Midfielder Jon Bazley and striker Josh Bright both netted during Saturday’s defeat to mid-table Chard, who led 2-1 at the break through strikes from Bradley Miles and James Boyland.

The game was only settled in the final 10 minutes as Scott Jakeman, Boyland and Scott Martin netted.

Corsham are back in action at the weekend and go to Meadow Lane to face Westbury United.