DEPARTING Bemerton Heath Harlequins boss Ian Chalk says he has come to the end of his tether with the Wessex League after calling time on his number one role.

The long-serving stalwart, in his eighth season in charge, has decided to step down from his position when the season terminates in April.

Chalk, who joined the Harlequins as a player before becoming permanent manager in 2007, informed the board last September that he’d no longer continue as first team coach when this season ended.

And following the Christmas break, Chalk revealed the news to the players.

“This isn’t a decision I’ve made recently,” said the 49-year-old.

“I’ve done 33 years at this standard and it’s just too much.

“I’ve have other interests I want to pursue like playing golf and fishing, as well as spending time with my wife, who deserves some time with me!

“The club needs a new face to progress and will be better without me.”

During Chalk’s long-lasting stint at Harlequins, he led them to a third place finish in 2009/2010 before twice finishing runners-up to Poole Town and Winchester City, respectively, and reached the last 16 of the FA Vase in 2012/13.

However, following a humble seventh place finish last season and now loitering in a mid-table spot, picking up one win in their past eight league matches, this campaign hasn’t been one of the Western Way outfit’s finest.

And in the wake of Saturday’s 6-1 hammering at home to Moneyfields, in which they finished with ten men, Chalk said the woeful refereeing was the final straw.

He added: “I’ve not witnessed anything like it before.

“Liam Hutchinson was sent off and I don’t know why. It summed it up and I need to go.

“I’m an excitable and passionate character on the side of the pitch and admittedly can be my own worst enemy.

“I’m a quite a nice guy, but believe that referees come to Bemerton with a pre-ordained idea of how they are going to officiate. Their perception of me and a few players is such that we are subjected to unfair treatment and are on the wrong end of pretty much all major decisions.

“This isn’t the whole reason why I'm finishing but is a major factor, I've become an angry little man on match days and that’s not me at all.”

“I’ve lost motivation after my brother’s (Steve Chalk) death and I’m just fed up with the Wessex League.

“I cannot change who I am and I’m just not enjoying it.”

An experienced striker in his heyday, Chalk has many memories when he netted 176 goals in 684 appearances for Salisbury City from 1988 to 2001.

And after spending more than three decades in the game, Chalk says he doesn’t know what to expect when he finishes.

“I have no idea if I’ll miss it – but I won’t miss the Wessex League.”

“I’ll, however, miss the dressing room and I’ve been luckily enough to work with such a great bunch of lads.”

“I used to love playing the likes of Poole Town, AFC Totton and Gosport Borough and it’s not the same since they left.”

The club’s open to applicants for the manager’s job and anyone interested can contact chairman Steve Slade on 01722 337286.