Scarborough Athletic first team coach Derek Exley has left the club, reports the Scarborough Evening News.

Exley, who was one of boss Brian France's first appointments when he joined the newly-formed Boro in 2007, has called it a day due to a family illness.

It was a tough decision for the former Scalby, Wards and Driffield Town manager, although the door has been left open by boss Brian France for his return to the club.

Exley said: "It was a very difficult decision for me to make because I've had such a good time since I joined the club.

"I've enjoyed every minute and I will miss the laugh we had at games and training.

"It has become a bit of a challenge though as my dad isn't well and I want to spend a bit of time with him. I haven't been able to because I was tied up with training on Tuesdays and Thursdays, then on Saturdays we have matches.

"Brian has said that I'm welcome to come back in when I want, but at the moment I'm going to have a bit of a break from it all."

France will now be helped out on matchdays by former Pickering Town and Boro reserves boss Jimmy Reid, who has been on the bench for the past few weeks.