The KoolSport Northern Counties East League would like to pass its best wishes on to Darren France who has stepped down as assistant manager at Scarborough Athletic.

The club announced his resignation on their website, saying: "Darren returned to the club earlier this season to re-commence his role, following over a year out of the game recovering from the effects and treatment of a form of bone cancer.

"Having recovered enough to resume his role, Darren was recently taken ill once again, and had spent time recently away from the sidelines in hospital.

"He risks picking up bugs and infections easily due to a weakened immune system, and feels he can no longer continue to assist manager Paul Olsson in the running of the side.

"He had joined the club at its inception, and took charge of the club's first ever league game at Teversal in August 2007, while his father, then Athletic manager Brian France, was on holiday.

"Darren returned to assist Paul Olsson in team management, after Brian was left unable to continue as manager of the club following his accident at Liversedge in September.

"It is with great sadness that the club have accepted Darren's offer of resignation, and the board of directors wishes to thank him for the dedication, hard-work and knowledge he brought to the club over the past four years.

"The board is sure all Boro fans and others will join it in wishing Darren all the best and a full recovery.

"With regard to Brian's health, he has shown a marked improvement since his release from the hospital just after Christmas, and is on the slow road to recovery.

"The board wishes to thank everyone who has sent good wishes to all those affected by illness at the club over the season.

"The board has moved swiftly to address the potential weakness in the management team that Darren's departure will cause, and will be supporting Paul Olsson in his efforts to bolster the management team as soon as possible."