Yarmouth Town manager Mike Derbyshire has explained his decision not to turn his back on arguably the hardest job in Norfolk football.

The Bloaters boss quit after a humiliating 6-1 defeat in Saturday's relegation six-pointer at Newmarket made it 12 defeats in the last 13 matches for the Ridgeons League's Premier Division's rock-bottom outfit.

But the man who has steadfastly declared since taking the helm in September that he would not surrender despite the club's mountain of problems on and off the pitch has performed a dramatic U-turn after an emergency committee meeting refused to accept his resignation.

Derbyshire, whose side are eight points adrift in the Ridgeons League Premier Division, said his decision to resign, was not solely because of the Newmarket game which admittedly was a 'poor' performance.

He has one win and a draw to show for 19 games in charge.

'I wanted to do what was right for the club not for me.

'I was saying if you want someone else to have a go let me know.

'If there had not been 100 per cent backing I would have walked away. I have said I am happy to carry on if that is what the club wants.

'I've made my position clear – the club have made their position clear and we go forward together. There are no time limits on anything.

'If people want me there I will do my best to reward their loyalty.'

Derbyshire insists he has no regrets about his decision to leave Gorleston, where he was assistant to Richard Daniels, to take charge at the Wellesley.

'You have to be up for a challenge in football,' he maintained. 'I would not go back on the decision I made.'

To most impartial onlookers – his challenge – to keep Yarmouth Town in the Ridgeons League Premier Division looks like mission impossible. Since his arrival players have quit or been lured away by other clubs and he has only three left from the original squad he inherited after Paul Tong's departure.

To make his rebuilding task harder, the cash-strapped club was forced to axe the players' budget last month.

The cupboard is bare.

This Saturday Paul Tong returns to the Wellesley with his Kirkley and Pakefield team, who themselves are in danger of being dragged into a relegation battle.

'It's going to be tough but we will give it eveything we have got,' said Derbyshire.

'We know how far adrift we are at the bottom but we will fight tooth and nail not to be relegated. Until someone says it mathematically impossible to stay up I won't accept it.'

On Monday Yarmouth Town chairman Colin Jones admitted the club had to accept blame for the turmoil on the pitch following 'previous financial errors'.

He added: 'We as a committee haven't given the manager sufficient resources to compete in the league.

'I understand fans' concerns regarding recent results but the majority of the 15-strong committee have seen enough to believe Mike is the right person for the job and deserves more time to put things right.'