BRADFORD Town chairman Les Stevens described the sacking of manager Mark Hodkinson as "the hardest thing I've ever had to do in my life."

The Trowbridge Road chief was in turmoil last week after telling his friend of more than 30 years his services were no longer required.

Hodkinson was relieved of his duties at a meeting last week, after which former Melksham Town and Westbury United boss Nigel Tripp, and Winsley manager Paul Ranger, were announced as co-managers.

Stevens said: "It was horrible. I didn't sleep for a few nights afterwards.

"Mark offered to resign earlier in the season but I persuaded him to stay on because I thought things would pick up.

"It got to the stage where we had to do something. The rest of the committee agreed with the decision, but I was the one who had to do the deed."

Bradford have lost 15 of their last 19 matches in all competitions, but Stevens insists Hodkinson is not entirely to blame for the team's dismal run.

He said: "I don't think he was helped by the attitudes of some of the players.

"Once they cross that white line it's down to them and I honestly believe some of them don't care.

"I've seen them laughing and joking 10 minutes after a defeat. It should hurt a lot more than that."

Hodkinson guided Bradford to promotion from the Wiltshire League in his second season in charge and led the club to 10th in the First Division in 2005/6.

Stevens praised Hodkinson for his dedication to the club and revealed he even offered him a place on the Trowbridge Road committee.

"I offered Mark another role but he refused. He said he wanted a clean break and I can respect that.

"Some people don't realise how much work Mark put in behind the scenes here. That's what made the decision even more difficult for me."

Hodkinson told the Wiltshire Times and Chippenham News he needed to make a fresh start away from Bradford.

He said: "Because I was sacked, I didn't feel I could work for the club in any other capacity.

"From a personal point of view, if you are sacked, whether it's in football or your occupation, it means the people who employ you don't feel you're up to the job.

"The most disappointing thing is that I actually offered to stand down a few months ago, but I was persuaded by Les to stay on.

"That was the hardest thing, to hear the news from him, because we've been close friends for a long time.

"But Les is the chairman and I guess that's what he's there for. He's the one who has to fire the bullet.

"I don't hold any grudges and I genuinely want the club to succeed, on and off the pitch. I guess this is just one of those things."

Hodkinson revealed he has already spoken to several clubs about a return to management, but has refused to name those interested.

Tripp and Ranger will take charge of the team for the first time tomorrow against Sherborne Town.

The pair face a difficult task, with Bradford languishing in 18th position in the First Division, but Stevens is confident they can turn things around.

He said: "It was quite funny really because neither of them wanted to be outright manager, so we made them co-managers.

"They want to bring a few new players in and maybe that's what we need to turn things around."

Ranger, who will continue in his role as manager of Chippenham Sunday League side Winsley, will pick the team for tomorrow's game.

He said he was looking forward to the challenge of management in the Toolstation League.

"The standard is obviously a lot better so this will be a difficult job to take on, especially as the team has been struggling recently.

"But there are some good players at Bradford and they will all be given the chance to prove themselves.

"If things don't work out we will look to bring in a few new faces to give them a kick up the backside. Hopefully we can keep the club in this division."

Ranger has already signed midfielder Dom Khaekphong from First Division rivals Biddestone, while co-manager Tripp has also made the switch from Yatton Road.

Tripp, who was helping to run training sessions at Biddestone, is considering coming out of retirement to play in the heart of the Bradford defence.

He said: "If that's what the team needs then I'll put the boots on again.

"I coach the under 10s at Biddestone so that keeps me active. It's not as though I just sit around in the office all day.

"Coaching and playing at this level is all about confidence.

"If we can instill some belief in the players there's no reason we can't turn this season around.

"I'm not going to Bradford to get relegated, that's for sure," Tripp said.