PAUL Arnold has shocked Wimborne Town by announcing he will step down as manager - and that could pave the way for Alex Pike to make a remarkable return to Cuthbury.

Arnold, who saw his side beaten on penalties by Bournemouth Poppies in the Wessex League Cup semi-final, has made a "heart-wrenching" decision to call time on his five-year reign and retire from football at the end of the season.

He told the Daily Echo: "I've been in the job for five years now and I've won nothing.

"My business has expanded and I've been involved with football for 30 years as a player and a manager so I want to spend more time with my family.

"This is by far the best Wessex League club and it is very difficult to say it's time to move on'."

Arnold, whose assistants John Macey and Stuart Underwood have also decided to quit, added: "I've had five great years here. It will be heart-wrenching to leave when the time comes but a new voice is needed in the changing room."

Pike, who managed Wimborne to the FA Vase in 1992, has already been touted as a possible successor and admitted he is "honoured and flattered" to be tipped for a return to Cuthbury.

He said: "It is an honour that my name has come up for the Wimborne job.

"If you cut my legs off, you'd find black and white running through one and yellow through the other, but at the moment, I have a job to do at Gosport.

"We're trying to win the league and I am fully focused on that."