PHIL Simkin has spoken out about his sacking as Dorchester Town manager, and insisted it had nothing to do with the club’s performances on the pitch this term.

A number of Magpies’ fans turned on their former chief during the 2-0 defeat to arch-rivals Weymouth on Monday, in what was to be his final game in charge.

And the former boss claims that it was his reaction to the critics that earned him the chop at the Avenue late on Wednesday even-ing.

Nevertheless, the verdict to relieve him of his duties still came as a shock to Simkin.

“It was a surprise as, unfortunately, it has nothing to do with football reasons,” he said.

“It was solely because of my reaction to that disgusting abuse I got at Weymouth from the so-called supporters on Monday, which upset my closest family and friends. I think anyone would have reacted in the same way.

“They (the club) weren’t concerned about the result or anything else, it was just that.

“I have been in the game for 44 years and I have never been subjected to that before, my wife was sat in the car after the game crying.

“People don’t accept the fact that the club is not a big club anymore, it’s just not and the supporters can’t come to terms with it.

“I can understand them being upset but what they did on Monday was disgusting.”

Simkin, who had spent nearly two-and-a-half years in the Magpies’ hot seat, spoke to Echosport before Dorchester were due to train tonight, but he insisted he would be at the session to say goodbye to the squad.

He added: “I have spoken briefly to Nathan Walker and Alan Walker-Harris and I will be going in to say goodbye to them all whether they like it at the club or not.

“It’s going to be very difficult and the hardest part for me is leaving them because they are a great bunch of lads.

“It will be pretty gut-wrenching saying goodbye but it’s something that needs to be done.”

Simkin supplied many memorable moments as manager of the Magpies, most notably the 1-0 home victory over Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup first round proper in 2012.

And although he is bidding farewell to this current crop of players, he will not be retiring just yet.

Talking about his future involvement within football, he added: “It’s in my blood and it has always been my life.

“This has buoyed me up a little bit to be fair, I still feel I have a lot to offer the game and I am just going to wait to see if the phone rings, if it does, great.”