Rolls explains Brabin departure

Brabin guided Cambridge to the Blue Square Premier play-off final

Cambridge United chairman George Rolls has revealed disagreements over the club's playing budget led to the departure of boss Gary Brabin.

Despite leading the U's to the Blue Square Premier play-off final, Brabin was relieved of his duties on Monday.

Rolls told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire: "There have been disagreements between Gary and myself which have festered over the summer.

"Gary has pressed the issue to sign more players, when we can't."

The U's received a £500,000 windfall following Dave Kitson's move from Reading to Stoke last summer and used the money to fund the transfers of Scott Rendell and Lee Phillips, among others.

But with a drop in transfer revenue and an upcoming increase in annual rent on the Abbey Stadium, the board decided to tighten the purse strings for the upcoming season.

Brabin had repeatedly stated his desire to sign at least two new players and it seems this led to a breakdown in relations between the board and their manager.

U's vice-chairman Terry Baker told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire: "Gary point blank told George and I that the football side of the club had nothing to do with us.

"This was countered by us leaving Gary to storm out of the meeting and George then spent the rest of the week trying to make contact with him."

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Baker continued: "When George finally caught up with Gary he was treated in a very disrespectful way which led to Gary leaving the club."

Brabin has been approached for his response to the club's claims but has so far been unavailable for comment.

The 37-year-old had a year remaining on his deal at the Abbey and Rolls has confirmed the club will have to reach a compensation settlement.

"We will have to pay Gary, but only for a certain amount of the contract, not all of it," Rolls said.

Meanwhile, player-assistant manager Paul Carden has been placed in charge of first-team affairs ahead of Tuesday's friendly with Blackburn.

Carden was responsible for bringing Brabin to the Abbey and Rolls admits it is unclear whether he will be willing to stay with the club.

"Paul's been the mediator between myself and Gary, and whilst it's no secret Paul came with Gary I think Paul is professional enough to carry on for the time being," he said.

With the search for a new manager already underway, the club have moved quickly to rule out speculation linking Crawley manager Steve Evans to the vacancy.

"It's a blank sheet of paper, and links with Steve Evans are complete tosh," Baker confirmed.