Yarmouth Town manager Mike Derbyshire is looking forward to welcoming his predecessor Paul Tong to the Wellesley tomorrow after making a swift turnaround on his decision to resign.

The Bloaters boss quit after a humiliating 6-1 defeat in Saturday’s relegation six-pointer at Newmarket made it 12 defeats in the last 13 matches for the Ridgeons League’s Premier Division’s rock-bottom outfit.

But he performed a dramatic U-turn after an emergency committee meeting refused to accept his resignation.

Derbyshire said: “I was saying if you want someone else to have a go let me know. If there had not been 100 per cent backing I would have walked away. I have said I am happy to carry on if that is what the club wants. I’ve made my position clear – the club have made their position clear and we go forward together. There are no time limits on anything.”

Tomorrow Tong returns to the Wellesley with his Kirkley and Pakefield team, who themselves are in danger of being dragged into a relegation battle.

“It’s going to be tough but we will give it everything we have got,” said Derbyshire. “We know how far adrift we are at the bottom but we will fight tooth and nail not to be relegated. Until someone says it’s mathematically impossible to stay up I won’t accept it.”

On Monday Yarmouth Town chairman Colin Jones admitted the club had to accept blame for the turmoil on the pitch following “previous financial errors”.

He added: “We as a committee haven’t given the manager sufficient resources to compete in the league.

“I understand fans’ concerns regarding recent results but the majority of the 15-strong committee have seen enough to believe Mike is the right person for the job and deserves more time to put things right.”

Tong said: “I’m pleased to see that Mike is hanging on in there. I’m sure their players will be up for it because they will be out to prove a point – they will want to put one over on me.”