Last updated 19:40, Thursday, 13 March 2008

FORMER Workington Reds boss Tommy Cassidy has been asked to take a sabbatical from Newcastle Blue Star.

Tommy Cassidy

The former Northern Ireland international wasn’t in charge last Saturday when Blue Star drew 2-2 at home to Harrogate Railway.

Blue Star have asked to be relegated after just one season in the Unibond League North, back to the Northern League, in a dramatic lowering of ambitions.

Cassidy moved to Blue Star in September to take charge of a club which had finished 10th in the Northern League but had taken promotion in the pyramid system.

Very little is being said on the record, at the moment, however and Cassidy himself says the matter is in the hands of his solicitor.

He was asked to take a sabbatical when he turned up for training last week. He is only six months into a three-year contract.

The only comment that was a forthcoming from Blue Star was a statement which claimed: “We still want to become a major force in local football and the ambition and drive at Blue Star has not changed.

“The decision to return to the Northern League has been largely due to the vast travelling distances involved in the Unibond League.”

Dwindling gates have seen crowds of below 100 and the players have been travelling to away games in cars.

Meanwhile Duncan Bayley, chief executive of the Unibond League says he is concerned that Blue Star’s decision could impact on other clubs joining from the Northern League.

Bayley said: “Blue Star were aware of the travelling involved when they joined what is the northern division of the Unibond League. Their decision is very disappointing.”