Ian Holloway announces Grimsby resignation on Twitter

The veteran manager departs the Mariners just shy of a year since taking over

Ian Holloway has left his post as manager (Getty)

Ian Holloway has taken to Twitter to resign as Grimsby manager with immediate effect.

After a 2-1 defeat to Bradford on Tuesday, Holloway has decided his future is away from the Mariners and leaves the club in 20th place in League Two.

Holloway has not gone quietly though, describing the "inappropriate" actions of the prospective new owners of the club as his motivation for taking his drastic decision, while bemoaning not being given a "fair crack" in his role at Blundell Park.

Holloway said in a statement on his personal Twitter account: "It is with a heavy heart that I am announcing my resignation as manager of Grimsby Town Football Club.

"New wannabe owners are hovering over GTFC and (majority shareholder) John (Fenty) has told me he is selling his stake in the club. So it's time for a fresh start across the board for this great club.

"Contact was made by the new owners to me on several occasions before the takeover, which I felt was inappropriate, and told them as such. This is the key factor in my decision."

The former QPR and Crystal Palace boss accepted the Mariners post just under a year ago and helped them successfully stave off relegation to the National League.

But the club have struggled again this season and last night's loss to the Bantams stretched their current run to just one win from their last seven games.

Holloway added: "This is a club that, if everybody has its best interests at heart, can progress onwards and upwards. That is their challenge. That is their honour.

"For a myriad of reasons, on and off the pitch, it feels like we didn't get a fair crack together, and I take my share of the blame too.

"I hoped for this to be a long, serious relationship but it hasn't worked out that way, and that saddens me."

PA