Sutton United boss Paul Doswell has set the record straight after former fitness coach Jamie Lawrence lifted the lid on his departure from the Lane.

In an interview with the F365 website, Lawrence said he was released by Doswell due to budgetary constraints brought on by United’s FA Cup exit in October – something the United manager confirmed at the time.

However, the 45-year-old former Bradford City striker also claimed that his replacement was Doswell’s “mate”, who was being paid more than him despite the financial issues.

He said: “I was laid off at United from my coaching role by Paul Doswell after they lost in the FA Cup.

“He called me into his office the day after and told me he had to let me go because he had to cut the budget and I would be a victim of those budget cuts.

“It was disappointing to say the least, and then to make it worse he brought his mate in and paid him more money than I was on.”

Lawrence went on to join the back room staff of the Ghanaian international squad, helping guide them to the final of the African Cup of Nations and a penalty shoot-out defeat to Ivory Coast.

Surrey Comet:

Bad day at the office: Micky Spillane is hounded by two Burgess Hill Town men in the FA Cup defeat that sent waves through the Sutton United backroom staff           Picture: Paul Loughlin

Meanwhile, Doswell made wholesale changes to the United staff by also releasing Peter Beadle and Matt Lockwood, and bringing in Ian Baird, Steve Beck and eventually Wayne Shaw.

Doswell said: “Steve, Ian and Wayne have come in to do a job for absolutely zilch apart from travel costs.

“I made it very clear at the time about wanting to have a team I could travel with in the car to training and Sutton, to give me more support.

Sutton United 0-1 Hayes & Yeading - Doswell feels for the fans

“When he joined us, I would not have described Ian as a mate either, he was a rival of mine when he was at Havant and I was at Eastleigh.

“Jamie did a particularly good job for us, but everyone is upset when they leave a football club – but it is just one of those things in football.

“Having gone to the African Cup of Nations, I would not have thought he was too concerned about leaving United.”

He added: “All I can say is that, with the support group I now have, I have enjoyed the past three months of the season more than I enjoyed the first three months.”