POOLE Swimming Club head coach Bob Lisle has resigned after three-and-a-half years in the job, citing a "lack of ambition" among some of the club's hierarchy as the main reason.

He has been offered a job coaching Bristol Henleaze in his home city.

Lisle said: "I am disappointed with the attitudes of some of the leading lights of Poole SC.

"I felt that there was a lack of ambition in some quarters within the club and that it was time to go.

"I have quite a good reputation in Bristol and I was able to get a job there."

Lisle has not specified a date for his departure but is expected at least to see the club through the Speedo League season over the next two months.

"My departure date is being negotiated," he said.

Lisle's resignation comes despite a recent reshuffle of training schedules in line with his coaching philosophy.

Disagreement over the plans led to the resignation of chairman Clive Maple recently.

Poole's director of swimming Gail Nuttall said: "I have known for some time that Bob's resignation was a possibility and have been discussing it with him.

"It's not because he has fallen out with anybody but he has had a good job offer that our club was not prepared to match.

"We are sorry to see him go. The club is just about on an upturn and the young kids coming up are doing extremely well.

"It was hoped we could look for other ways of funding but it was proving to be a long process and Bob couldn't wait for ever.

"Our executive committee didn't seem to be willing to sit down and try and make a future here."

She added: "The swimmers will continue to get a proper programme competent delivered by experienced coaches.

"I presume the executive will call an emergency meeting to decide what their next move is."

Ironically, Lisle's resignation comes just a week after Bournemouth Dolphins' coach Graham Bassi withdrew his resignation following a particularly acrimonious dispute over coaching.