LLANDUDNO manager Iwan Williams issued an emotional thank you to the outpouring of well-wishers after he was granted compassionate leave.

The popular figure announced he was stepping down from the role until the end of the season to take care of his sick father, who moved into their family home last year.

Assistant manager Mark Cowan will be at the helm for the JD Welsh Premier League side for the remainder of the campaign, with the basement dwellers looking to pull off a great escape to secure their top fight status.

A post on Williams’ Twitter account, read: “Thank you very much for the kind messages. I am a bit overwhelmed to be honest.

“As you know, I have inundated with personal issues over the last year or so and losing the funding for my father’s care was another huge blow.

“I’ve never walked away from anything in my life thus far, but this is different.

“For once – as difficult a decision as it was for me – football has to take a back seat where time away is required to sort so many things out. Things that 14 months ago, we never imagined we would do.

“Thanks to everyone at Llandudno FC for the unbelievable support and to everyone else in the Welsh football family.

“Hopefully see you soon.”