GRAHAM Turner’s promised top-to-bottom review of Hereford United’s activities has claimed its biggest possible scalp – Turner himself.

In the wake of the club’s relegation from League 1, the 61- year-old has decided to bring to a close his 14 years in charge of the team.

But his experience will not be lost to the club.

“I will continue in the role of director of football, which will be much more of an administrative position, and as chairman,” he said.

“I am totally committed to providing the new team manager with the necessary resources for success and providing the club with a prosperous long-term future.”

That new team manager is set to be John Trewick, who has been Turner’s right-hand man and chief coach for the past five seasons and who is now being invited to move into the managerial hot seat.

“John is a very experienced and respected football man who is capable of having an impact on the players and giving us the impetus to put us in contention for a quick return to League 1,” said Turner.

On the field, Turner’s 14 years in charge have been anything but dull. A Division 3 play-off campaign in his first season at Edgar Street was followed by relegation to the Conference the following year.

Financial turbulence dogged attempts to bounce back and only Turner’s ability to pick up and develop good young players and sell them on, allied to some useful FA Cup runs, kept the Bulls in business.

But then everything clicked into place with a spectacularly successful team in 2003-4.

Three successive Conference play-off seasons culminated in Hereford’s return to League football on an emotional day at the Walkers Stadium in Leicester in 2006.

A season of entrenchment in League 2 was followed by an, apparently, unthinkable automatic promotion to League 1 12 months ago, resulting in Turner being named League 2 manager of the year.

But relegation this term, during which Turner admits he has made a number of mistakes, has resulted in the former Wolves boss calling time on his Edgar Street managerial career.

“I would like to reiterate my apologies to all supporters for our poor league position and would like to thank them for their support for me over the last 14 years,” he said.

“I hope that support will continue for the club, the new manager and the players.”