MARK PATTERSON has resigned as caretaker manager of Darwen after learning the job was to be advertised.

The former Blackburn Rovers midfielder quit after chairman, Kevin Henry, told him about his intentions to throw the position open.

Patterson said: "I am extremely disappointed by the way the chairman has gone about things.

"I've told him that the club needs rebuilding from scratch and new players need to be brought in who want to play for Darwen Football Club.

"I was prepared to do it but I'm not interested in putting in all the hard work in if he is going to give the job to someone else."

Darwen, who play at Oldham Town tomorrow, have won just one game since Patterson took charge at the Anchor Ground following Steve Mullen's resignation in March.

The former Chorley boss said: "I am the first to admit that results have not been great but you have to realise I have had to get rid of a lot of dead wood and have had to work with squads of 12 or 13 players.

"I've had to play myself on some occasions and that is not the way I wanted to do things."

He added: "I am a Darwen lad and I have the club at heart. I was hoping I would get the chance to build a squad for next season and help take the club forward.

"That hasn't happened and it is just sad it has ended this way."

Henry issued a press release saying he was looking for a manager with experience of managing at NWCL Division One standard or above.

He said: "The club would like to place on record their gratitude to caretaker manager Mark Patterson who stepped in to the breach to fill the gap left by the previous manager's sudden departure from the club."

Applicants for the job should apply in writing to Kevin Henry, Darwen Football Club, Anchor Road, Darwen, Lancashire, BB3 0BB.