Bateson has been replaced by Mervyn Benney at the helm of the club and he has been quick to highlight his vision for the Gulls.

"We have taken the difficult decision to make Colin Lee redundant," he told the club's official website.

"We are going to be working on a tight budget this year and a director of football is a luxury we cannot afford."

Benney continued: "We will be putting the majority of our budget into the playing side for next season."

"We are hoping to announce a head coach/player coach within the next couple of days. Meetings will be ongoing over the forthcoming week and as and when developments occur we will keep you posted."

Bateson, who will continue as a majority shareholder, returned to United on March 7 as chairman following a five-month break, but he and his wife Sue, who is also a director at the club, decided to step down from their positions after the club lost their Football League after 80 years.