Eyre and Dale part company

FOOTBALL:

TIME has run out for Steve Eyre at Rochdale. Chairman Chris Dunphy has brought an end to his six months in charge at Spotland.

Eyre, who replaced Barnsley-bound Keith Hill in the summer, faced a tall order in taking over from the club’s most successful manager and was never able to live up to expectations.

Both he and assistant manager Frank Bunn, the former Athletic striker, were informed of the board’s decision after taking training at Manor Farm.

Just four wins from 21 npower League One games ultimately proved Eyre’s downfall, though the unsettled nature of his squad and the lack of any tangible progress were factors in the board’s decision to part company.

Youth team manager Chris Beech has been placed in temporary charge of the first team and will take his first training session on Thursday.