notice in the paper advertising his coaching post with the Trojans...even though he was planning to step down from the job.

Horton's letter of resignation had only been dropped in a mail slot on Sunday and on Monday he read an advertisement in The Royal Gazette in which the club were seeking applications "from suitable qualified persons for the position of head football coach''.

The timing shows that Somerset had begun searching for a new coach before hearing officially of Horton's intention to step down after two years in charge.

Horton's letter advised the club that he was quitting as coach for personal reasons, one being a move into politics. But the fact that the club had taken out the ad before receiving his letter, or even speaking with him, is what drew Horton's ire.

"I think it's disrespectful,'' said Horton yesterday. "I don't mind that they don't want me, but at least they should have given me the opportunity to sit down with them.

"I have, in fact, written them a letter which was dated April 9 which I mailed to them on Sunday, to say I'm resigning the position because I'm going to be involved in other areas. I'm getting involved in politics and I'm not going to have the time to coach.'' Horton pointed out that it was the second time that he had parted with the Trojans in this fashion, after his first stint ended in 1983 following a disagreement.

"At that time I found out through the back door,'' he stated. "There was no communication.

"That year we won the championship, so it doesn't matter if you win or lose.

The next thing I knew they had a new coach, without any discussion with me.'' He drew a comparison with the way he was treated with rivals St. George's a few years later when he led them to the Friendship final in 1987. They came from 2-0 down at half-time to beat the Trojans 4-2 in the semi-finals at Somerset.

"St. George's treated me with the utmost respect,'' said Horton of his time with the east enders.

When contacted yesterday about the advertisement, new Somerset president, Colin Smith, would only say: "That is up to the (management) committee, I can't make any decisions on my own, the committee has to make those decisions.

"The committee decided to put the advert in the paper. The advert is open to anyone, including him... whoever wants to apply for the post.'' Horton stressed he was as hurt as anybody to see the club relegated on the last day of the season when they lost 1-0 to North Village while Hotels and Devonshire Cougars both won to move ahead of his team in the standings.

He had helped the team back into the First Division last season and vowed to keep them there.

"It hurt me to see the team go down, but I wish them every bit of success as I told them in my letter,'' said Horton. "I've got nothing against the guys, but I really think they could have done better had they put in a greater effort.

"I'll be rooting for the team, I'm Somerset through and through. There aren't many people who have given as much to Somerset Cricket Club as I have. I remember I played Cup Match one year with a broken foot.'' Randy Horton