ACE striker Rene Swann has revealed that it was a bust-up with Ipswich Wanderers manager John Clarkson that led to him leaving the club.The walk-out happened just a few days before the Ridgeons League side's Suffolk Premier Cup match with Ipswich Town at Humber Doucy Lane last Wednesday.

By Elvin King

ACE striker Rene Swann has revealed that it was a bust-up with Ipswich Wanderers manager John Clarkson that led to him leaving the club.

The walk-out happened just a few days before the Ridgeons League side's Suffolk Premier Cup match with Ipswich Town at Humber Doucy Lane last Wednesday.

Clarkson, explaining Swann's departure, said: “Rene cannot dictate when he wants to play.

“He is going on a ten-week work course to Dover and I believe is going to concentrate on Sunday football.

“He scores goals, but if he could contribute more at times he would be capable of playing at a higher level.

“Ricky Martin is also a good

player who thrives on praise, but both have decided to leave.”

Swann hit back today, saying: “I scored my 31st goal of the season against Needham Market and Mr Clarkson decided to take it out on me in front of the whole team after the match.

“He questioned my effort, which hit a nerve, as I always put full effort into every game I play.

“The manager had already upset me several times with annoying team selections and tactical choices.

“I had just about brought myself to deal with all this, but there are some things I will not accept and some things that mean more to me than football.

“I decided this was crossing the line and that football is about enjoyment. Even the prestigious fixture against Ipswich Town was not a big enough incentive to make me brush this off.”

Swann said his course in Dover had no effect on his decision to leave Wanderers.

“Yes I am going on a ten-week course, but I would have still been available for all Saturday games,” he added.

“I asked the club to release me from my contract as I could no longer take playing after the way I was spoken to after the Needham defeat. I would love to play for Wanderers again, but not under the current manager.

“I am still in negotiations about having my contract terminated and the Sunday football idea was to ensure I could at least play some football until the end of the season for enjoyment.

“If I have played my last game for Wanderers - for this season at least - in almost three seasons I have

started 111 competitive games and scored 95 goals.

“I am not one to blow my own trumpet, but by anyone's standards that is not bad going!”

Ricky Martin left Wanderers last month because he was not enjoying his football, while Matty Cunningham's future with the club is reported to be in the balance.

Clarkson took over from Jason Dozzell last summer and has brought considerable cup success to Humber Doucy Lane with a last 16 place in the FA Carlsberg Vase, a semi-final place in the Suffolk Premier Cup and a final appearance against Lowestoft in the Ridgeons League Cup.

He is a manager of proven ability with a great deal of success in the west country before moving to East Anglia were he runs care homes.