Carl Shutt's tenure as manager of Bradford Park Avenue has come to an end after the club announced that they would not be offering him a contract for next season following their relegation from the Conference North.

Avenue have made an almost meteoric rise through the lower leagues after re-forming just 18 years ago and this is the first setback they have encountered.

Shutt appears to have paid the price for their first relegation in that period after just one full season in charge.

The club made the decision on Sunday after the last game of the season, a goalless draw at fellow relegated side Ashton United.

A brief statement released by the club read: "The board of Bradford Park Avenue announce with considerable regret that they will not be renewing Carl Shutt's team manager contract for the 2005-06 season.

"The board wish Carl and his assistant, Ian Ruscrow, every success for the future, but, after considerable discussion, feel that, following this season's relegation they cannot provide the level of budget this management team would require to bounce straight back into Conference North.

"The board remain extremely ambitious for the club and will now begin the process of recruiting a management team that can achieve the immediate reinstatement of the prestigious status lost this season."

Former Bradford City and Leeds United ace Shutt said his exit had not come out of the blue.

"I'm not stunned by it because I know how they operate. I will be making a statement but I want a day or so to let the news sink in before I comment further on it."