Whitehaven RL player-coach Carl Forster says he is genuinely gutted and really sorry to be leaving the club.

Forster - last year's League One coach of the year - and his number two Tony Stewart will move on at the end of the season.

The shock news came just days after it was revealed that club general manager Amanda Hewer is quitting the Recreation Ground at the end of this month.

It is believed Forster is a major casualty of ongoing cost-cutting measures at the west Cumbria outfit.

The player’s budget for 2019 has been reduced again as directors battle to get ailing finances under control.

The club has been under special measures, operating with one of the smallest squads in the league.

Chairman Tommy Todd said: "He [Forster] has done a wonderful job on a limited budget and unfortunately that budget is going to get smaller.

"We are trying to re-organise the club in several ways so that it has a future."

A club statement said: "Due to the continuing drop in attendances and lack of sponsorship over the last few seasons the decision has been made to further reduce the playing budget for next season.

"The drop in the playing budget will allow the club to re-structure, including investing in a new youth set-up; to build a local based squad; improve ties with the local clubs and further increase the club’s community work.

"After discussing this at some length with coach Carl Forster a mutual decision has been reached that will unfortunately see Carl and assistant Tony Stewart leave the club at the end of the current season.

"This decision has not been taken lightly by either party and the board of directors cannot stress enough our gratitude for the work and dedication shown by Carl and Tony during their tenure, which has seen some difficult times and both can hold their heads high.

"Carl has handled himself with the upmost professionalism at all times and we all know the love he has for the club and its fans.

"The club wish Carl and Tony all the best for their futures.”

Following last night's announcement, Forster said: "Not sure how to really start this but I'm genuinely gutted and really sorry to be leaving Whitehaven.

"With obvious struggles we've had to face over the last two seasons, the club are doing everything possible to fix things but I understand the club's decision and their need to move things in a different direction.

"Leaving is not something that I want to do but after talks with the BOD [board of directors], it's clear that I have to move on for the benefit of the club and also to provide for my family."

And he adds: "I'm gutted that things have had to end and I didn't believe I'd be writing this message for many years.

"I just hope this club gets back to where it belongs because the fans deserve it."

Whitehaven have struggled with a small squad this season and defeat at the weekend against Doncaster further dented their hopes of reaching the play-offs.

Speaking after the game, the 26-year-old said: "It’s been a really long, hard season with a depleted squad who have had to put up with other issues off the field. In a nutshell we are shattered."

In early June, Forster, who has previously played for Super League St Helens and Salford and also Swinton, said talk of financial issues at Whitehaven had not been a distraction to the players.

He was named coach of the year after leading Haven to the play-off final where they lost to Barrow. It is believed Forster, who still had a year of his contract remaining, has reached an amicable agreement with the club.

Of Hewer's departure, club chairman Tommy Todd said it was not a cost-cutting exercise.

“We are in the process of re-shaping how we run the club, and one of the things we have in mind is to appoint a commercial manager to boost club funds, he told the News & Star.

Whitehaven have been battling cash problems and directors said in late June they were confident of seeing the club through to the end of this season.