DAVE Boddy says he leaves Worcester City with his head held high after resigning from the club.

The St George’s Lane director, who stood down as chairman of five years in 2008, quit the Blue Square South club on Christmas Eve.

Boddy has come under increasing pressure for his role in the proposed move to Nunnery Way and a petition calling for him to stand down, organised by supporters’ trust member Niels Eiriksson, drew more than 350 signatures.

His resignation leaves just four directors on the board following the departure of David Hallmark in October.

However, Boddy says he was not swayed by the criticism and has no regrets about his actions.

He said: “My resignation has nothing to do with the petition orchestrated by a small minority.

“It’s something I’ve been thinking about for a long time and I made the decision three months ago and informed my closest associates at the time.

“I’ve decided to call it a day because I have done everything I can for the club.

“I have no energy left and have given it everything. I have given the club 30/40 hours a week — on a voluntary basis I might add — for numerous years at great personal cost in terms of family, finance, business and health and can give no more.

“However, what has disappointed me most has been the many lies, half-truths and libellous things that have been written by a small minority of cowardly faceless people on message boards, comment sites and social networking sites.”

He added: “I understand that people are looking for a scapegoat for the sale of the ground. I was one of 11 directors who democratically voted for the sale of the ground.

“I defy anybody who tells me any board could have got a better deal under the same circumstances.

“I cannot be personally blamed for the credit crunch which has played a massive part in the failure to deliver the new ground and the planning department of Wor-cester City Council have also got a lot to answer for.

“Hand on heart, I can leave knowing I have always acted in what I have believed to be the best interests of Worcester City FC, the club I have followed since I was a boy.

“I want to give more time to those special people in my life who mean the most to me — and I am very grateful that I still have many, many friends within football and at Worcester City FC.

“I am happy with the contribution I have made to this club. I am leaving with my head held high and, as a supporter, I wish the club every success in the future.”