DUDLEY Town has been left in an "impossible" situation, according to chairman Steve Austin.

Austin has temporarily appointed the club's youth coaches to manage the first team after losing boss Andy Wyton and 14 players to Midland Alliance neighbours Gornal Athletic.

Dudley have also had to fast track youth players to the first team to deal with the problem.

A young Town team lost 9-1 on Saturday after travelling to Malvern in the West Midlands League.

He said: "I have been left with an impossible situation. I have been stripped of a manager and a playing squad and have had to throw in youth players to try and cope.

"We are just taking it game by game at present as I have been left in an untenable situation.

"In my 38 years at the club, I have never known a situation as bad as this. It is very disappointing.

However, Austin was keen to praise the youth players and the coaches that have stepped in to try and steady the ship.

"The biggest positive from all of this is that youth players are getting first team opportunities that they wouldn't normally get.

"It is a steep learning curve for them and it was men against boys at times on Saturday. But they had a much better second half and grew as the game went on. I am full of praise for what they are doing.

"I just want to thank them and the senior youth coaches for how they are dealing with such a difficult time for all of us."

Austin also revealed that the club has had seven applications for the manager's position and will be carrying out interviews in the next fortnight.

He also reiterated that he was in no rush to appoint a new manager until the right person was available.