GRAYS Athletic and manager Justin Edinburgh have parted company with chairman Mike Woodward taking over as first team manager.

In a brief statement issued this afternoon the club said: "Further to discussions between the chairman and Justin Edinburgh where a proposal to restructure the club's management was discussed, Justin feels unable to continue with his duties as first team manager in a satisfactory way.

"As a result of this it has been mutually agreed between the Chairman and Justin to terminate his employment at Grays Athletic with immediate effect.

"Justin would like to thank all at Grays Athletic Football Club for their support over the past 15 months and would like to wish everyone at the club success for the future."

Chairman, Mike Woodward, said he would like to thank Justin for everything that he has done for Grays Athletic during his time as managerand also wish him well for the future.

Within an hour of the initial annoucement the club issued a second statement, saying Woodward would take over the hot seat.

The statement said "Chairman Mike Woodward will be taking over as first team manager, Gary Phillips will be assistant manager and the club will be employing two senior coaches to look after the fitness and tactics of the team."

Woodward briefly held the role last season before stepping down, saying he didn't have enough contacts in the game.