BROMSGROVE Rovers leapt back on the management merry-go-round once more after manager Joe Jackson was sacked on Tuesday night.

The club's board informed Jackson after training that his services were no longer needed.

His departure from the Victoria Ground means Rovers are looking for their fifth manager in two years.

Jackson replaced George Rooney in May of this year, who in turn had taken over from the management duo of Gary Hackett and Jon Ford.

A club statement said: The Board of Directors wish to announce they have parted company with manager Joe Jackson, as of November 9. May we wish Joe all the best for the future.

Chairman Tom Herbert told the Advertiser/Messenger despite improving results by the former Stourbridge boss, particularly Saturday's FA Trophy win over Halesowen Town, performances and low crowds had been the reason for his departure.

He said: "The style of play was not good enough and not attracting the crowds and that had to be changed."

The chairman also dismissed fears that so many changes of management in a short space of time might put off possible candidates.

He said: "We begin advertising for a new manager immediately and I'm confident there will be many applicants.

"This is one of the biggest jobs in non-league and I'm sure we'll get a good response."

Reserve team manager Steve Coton is set to take over team affairs for Saturday's home clash against Thame United (3pm kick off).

Bromsgrove have the highest average attendance in both the Southern League's East and West Divisions, 289, and the highest for one match, 393.

However, crowd sizes are substantially lower than last season's average, 432, so far this campaign in the Southern League Division One West.

Jackson though hit back at his former employers, claiming there was more than meets the eye to his dismissal.

He said: "They speak about budget cuts and the crowds affecting how much money we have to spend, but the club should have set out a budget from the start. It's just a smokescreen to distract everyone from what's really going on.

"The chairman has not been truthful and I am deeply disappointed about what has happened.

"I'm very sad because there was a buzz about the place and the team were starting to come good, but that has all been ruined."

The former Bromsgrove manager also hinted that he had clashed with the chairman over players and potential new signings.

He said: "Joe Jackson was not prepared to be a yes man for the chairman and pick the players he wanted."

Jackson's dismissal also stunned the Bromsgrove Rovers' Supporters Society.

Press officer Pete O'Connell said: "We thought Joe was getting the team right and was set to storm the division, this has come as a shock to us all."