TURTON are on the hunt for a new manager after announcing Neil Hart is leaving the post this summer.

The Tigers announced Hart’s departure on Tuesday night, bringing to an end a successful four-and-a-half year stint in charge at Thomason Fold, though the former Wanderers defender’s association with the club goes back much further.

Hart and Neil Johnson were installed as joint-managers, though Johnson departed two years ago, leaving Hart in sole charge.

And after leading the club to the West Lancashire League’s top flight Hart insists it is just the right time to pass on the torch and consider new opportunities.

“It has been a tough decision for me, it’s certainly not a spur-of-the-moment thing or a knee-jerk reaction to anything,” he told The Bolton News. “I’ve been associated with Turton for a long time and so has my family, this is the third time I’ve been the team manager.

“I just think it’s the right time to leave, I’m still looking to stay in the game because I’m still extremely ambitious as a manager and have aspirations to manage at a higher level. Because it’s such a close-knit club you do find yourself managing for a long time and opportunities could pass you by.”

Clearly driven by his will to win, Hart did admit things are somewhat different for players in the modern-day amateur game. Whereas he was committed to each and every game he played, he revealed a tinge of disappointment not everyone has that ethos these days.

“I do feel, at this level, players’ commitment is gradually getting worse,” he added. “Football was the be-all and end-all when I was playing, now players miss games at the bat of an eyelid. I understand there’s a lot more going on and lads are valuing their spare time a lot more now but I can’t get my head round missing games just like that. I have always tried to run things as professionally as possible and take great pride in what I do.”

With good reason. His team is comfortably established in the Premier Division, about to complete a second creditable mid-table finish following their Division One title of 2015/16.

And Hart feels his successor will inherit a hugely-talented squad.

“I think Turton is in a much better position than when myself and Neil first came in,” he added. “The fact we’re established in the Premier is a fantastic achievement, against all the odds.

“The club will continue to come on in leaps and bounds, which is down to the hard work by Peter [Gray, chairman], the committee and so many important people who do a lot for Turton.

“I’m leaving a fantastic club, I have nothing but respect for them and good things to say about the people there. It’s been a great journey and I’ve enjoyed it, despite my own frustrations. I thank them for their support and wish them every success.”