Stuart Peace has resigned as Didcot Town manager after six and a half years in charge at the club.

Peace, who led Didcot to the Zamaretto League Premier Division in 2009, told chairman John Bailey on Sunday he felt it was time for a change.

Bailey told the club website: "It's a shame but Stuart feels he's taken the team as far as he can.

"He's overseen the most successful period in the club's 100-year history and it's quite a legacy to leave us."

Bailey added: "On behalf of the club I would like to put on record our thanks to him for everything he's done and all his hard work."

Didcot Town, who lost 4-1 at home to Stourbridge on Saturday, have suffered from a poor run in form this season, only winning five of their opening 24 games, to sit 18th in the league table.

I hope I'm wrong, but one day I think we'll look back at Stuart's tenure and realize we really didn't know just how good we had it. Didcot Town manager Stuart Peace

Peace started with the Railwaymen as assistant to then manager, Pete Foley but took over the role in August 2004, and in his first season in charge helped Didcot lift the FA Vase in the final at White Hart Lane in May 2005.

In the same year, Peace also won the Hellenic League Cup and Berks & Bucks Senior Trophy, and just 12 months later guided Didcot to their first Hellenic League title since 1953.

"Stuart will no doubt always polarize opinions from supporters, but what is irrefutable is his astonishing record as manager here," said Bailey.

"Starting as assistant to Pete Foley, it is highly unlikely we will ever see another period of success to match the years from 2004-2009.

"I hope I'm wrong, but one day I think we'll look back at Stuart's tenure and realize we really didn't know just how good we had it."

Peace's assistant, Howard Cowley, will takeover as caretaker manager for Didcot's Berks & Senior Cup fixture against Hungerford Town on Tuesday.

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