Liskeard Athletic Football Club were in crisis this week after the shock resignation of manager John Clarkson and the withdrawal of his company's financial backing. Chairman Chris Burchell announced, prior to Saturday's 5-0 victory over Ivybridge, that Mr Clarkson would be standing down as manager and taking up another position at the club. He also informed assistant manager Lee Harvey and senior player Robbie Herrera, who had taken charge of the team in Mr Clarkson's absence, that the former Launceston and Porthleven boss would still be financially backing the team. Mr Harvey then contacted Mr Clarkson, who was about to return home from Spain, to ask for his release from his contract to allow him to join Tavistock. The subject of the businessman's continued financial support was broached. Mr Clarkson immediately contacted the chairman and after a heated conversation withdrew his backing for Liskeard. Mr Clarkson then phoned the Cornish Times to confirm his decision. 'I told the chairman that business pressures meant that I could not spare the time, in the next couple of months, to do the manager's job as I could not be in three places at the same time. 'This was a private conversation and things would have been sorted out on my return from Spain, but some people could not wait and now the club is the loser,' he said. Mr Burchell immediately called an emergency committee meeting to discuss the club's next move, but was quick to deny rumours that other players are set to leave. Full story on page 79