Salisbury City FC's firebrand manager Tommy Widdrington is leaving the club to join Southend United as assistant manager to Paul Sturrock.

The man credited for keeping the Whites motivated on the pitch during last year's stormy season off it saw the approach by the League Two side as too big an opportunity to miss.

However, the Zamaretto Southern League Premier Division club has moved quickly to ensure continuity at the Raymond McEnhill Stadium as it prepares for the new campaign which kicks off on August 14 and have given responsibility for football coaching to Mikey Harris and Darrell Clarke.

Harris had worked closely with Widdrington preparing the club’s pre-season schedule while club captain Clarke, who has already completed his UEFA coaching badges, was regarded by the former manager as his ‘general in the dressing room.’ Club chairman William Harrison-Allan said Widdrington leaves with the very best wishes of everyone at the club.

Although he accepted that it was a blow to lose him, he said the club remained committed to climbing back up the non-league ladder as soon as possible after its demotion from the Blue Square Premier.

“We couldn’t stand in Tommy’s way,” said Harrison-Allan. “It’s a terrific opportunity for him to return to the Football League.

“He’s worked extremely hard for us during his time here and we all wish him well.

“Mikey and Darrell will take charge of the players for the immediate future while we consider all our options.”

Widdrington joined the club in February 2005 as player/coach and took over as first team manager two seasons ago.

He said: “I'd like to thank everyone connected with Salisbury City unreservedly for helping me over the five years I’ve been there.

“I can’t mention everyone by name, but from Mikey Harris and Darrell Clarke through to Kev Bushby, the office staff, the ground staff and the kit man, I want to say thank you.

“I especially want to say thanks to all the supporters – they’ve been brilliant. I’ve every confidence the club can get back to where it belongs.

“Mikey has been involved in every aspect of planning the club’s pre-season schedule and Darrell has been my general in the dressing room.”

Harris said: “Tommy has left us with a great basis of a squad. We’ll keep everyone that we can and keep that continuity going.

“I’d worked on the pre-season planning anyway so that doesn’t need to be changed. He hasn’t left us through any lack of ambition here. It’s simply too good an opportunity for him to turn down.”

Widdrington, who had one year of his contract with the Whites still to run, said he hoped his new club would visit the Ray Mac for a pre-season friendly ahead of the 2010/11 campaign.

“This has all happened very quickly and I’m grateful to William and the rest of the board for allowing me the opportunity to speak with Southend.

“If a date can be arranged to bring Southend to Salisbury for a friendly it’d be brilliant to have the chance to say my goodbyes.”

Widdrington insisted he believes the Whites are well equipped to bid for promotion this season.

“There’s already ten or 11 players signed to the club and there’s no reason why they can’t bounce back immediately. I really, really hope that’s the case. The fans deserve to see their club back where it belongs.

“The players have shown what they can do when their backs are to the walls, now they’ll be in a division where they are looked upon as being among the favourites. That brings different pressures but I know they have the mental ability to cope with that.”

Widdrington added: “I’ve enjoyed my time at Salisbury – there have been so many great times and I’d like to think I’ll be remembered for having had a big impact on the club.

“I know the board have the ambition to help them achieve the goal of returning to the Blue Square Premier. The three directors saved the football club when they came in and deserve huge praise for all they have done.”

Harrison-Allan confirmed he had given the NPower League Two side permission to speak to Widdrington, whose appointment as assistant to former Southampton, Plymouth Argyle and Swindon Town boss Sturrock was announced today.