Officials and fans of UniBond League club Chorley were stunned last night when player-manager Shaun Teale resigned because of "pressure of business".

Teale said he could no longer combine the dual role of running the Farmers Arms pub and restaurant in Burscough with his managerial duties at Victory Park.

In the absence of chairman Ken Wright, who is indisposed, Brian Pilkington, Chorley's acting chairman made the following statement: "Mr Shaun Teale, Chorley Football Club manager, has offered his resignation and we have accepted it.

"Shaun informed the club that he has been finding it increasingly difficult to run his pub/restaurant and carry out his duties as manager of Chorley FC.

"We understand that Shaun's livelihood must come first, and we wish him well.

"We appreciate everything that Shaun has done for the club, playing and managing in extremely difficult times for Chorley FC.

"Assistant-manager Ray Stafford has agreed to take charge of the team for the weekend matches against Shepshed Dynamo and Ossett Albion."

Teale, 42, who took over the Farmers Arms in Burscough during the summer, said: "I am sorry to leave, but I have my livelihood to consider and I have found that I can't carry on doing both jobs.

"There aren't enough hours in the day and I felt that if I carried on much longer my health would have been affected.

"I have done my best on a tight budget to bring success to Chorley.

"I carried on playing to help ease the club's financial burden, but long hours at the pub and time taken up playing, training and managing the football club have made it impossible for me to keep up both jobs."

Teale's departure came after the Magpies lost 3-0 at Clitheroe, their second defeat in three days.

"I would have had to make the choice even if we had won the two opening matches," he said. "There is a good squad of players at Chorley and I wish the club every success."

Teale, who steered Burscough to FA Trophy honours three years ago after a long career in the Football League with a number of clubs, including Aston Villa in the Premiership, Bournemouth and Tranmere Rovers, joined Chorley in January 2005.

He made over 50 first-team appearances for the Magpies.