Haverfordwest County AFC co-coach Chris O’Sullivan has explained his decision to step down from his role after the club confirmed the news via their Facebook page last night.

Speaking to Telegraph Sport shortly after the announcement O’Sullivan, 34, said a new business venture would leave him unable to commit to the role full time, and thanked the club for the opportunity that had been presented to him over the past 12 months.

Proposals to start his own company, S7 Fitness, have been in the pipeline for two years, but recent developments now mean the project will start imminently.

“I know what it takes to manage Haverfordwest County – and there is going to be a lot of pressure on me now with the new company as well as working a full time job elsewhere in the meantime,” he said.

“I don’t want to sell myself or the club short or try and cut any corners and it’s best for all concerned at Haverfordwest that I take this decision.

“I’m so grateful for the opportunity they gave me and I leave on good terms with everyone.”

O’Sullivan took over alongside Sean Cresser at the end of last season, after serving as assistant player-coach to Nigel Delaney in Goodwick United’s historic treble winning campaign in 2015/16  - where the club sealed the Pembrokeshire League Division one, Senior Cup, and West Wales Intermediate Cup trophies.

 And he did so with the club very much in transition, looking to rebuild after relegation from the Welsh Premier League.

Indeed, only four players from the squad’s dismal top flight campaign remained on the books when O’Sullivan and Cresser took charge.

But this season the side defied the odds to mount what seemed an unlikely title challenge before ending up fourth, and O’Sullivan admits there are regrets he won’t be able to finish the job he started.

“Before the season I would have taken mid table. But we were chasing Barry for the title and just three points off them with five games to go – and reached a Welsh Cup quarter final and League Cup semi-final as well.

“I would have given my right arm for all that last August. So after seeing how far we’ve come, I admit to walk away is hard.”

One thing O’Sullivan won widespread praise for at The Bluebirds was giving local talent a chance, a notion that had long been a cause of resentment towards the club from the Pembrokeshire public.

The likes of Ashley Bevan, Matthew Broome, James Gwilt, and Kieran O’Brien tasted Welsh League football for the first time, whilst Lee Hudgell and Rhys Dalling made returns to the fold.

“I like to think I did things the right way and tried to bring local talent in. I knew I had to bite the bullet and give certain players a go – and I was prepared to take responsibility if that succeeded or failed” added O’Sullivan.

“And I can’t praise the boys who came in enough. Especially those who had not played in the Welsh League before. Their attitude and commitment was spot on and they did all that was asked of them.”

And the former Swansea City Academy player said he hoped the club would continue to scour the Pembrokeshire League despite his departure.

“The (Pembrokeshire) League is a good standard within West Wales and I know first-hand the ability of boys playing.

“Hopefully more will follow into the Welsh League and Haverfordwest can then take them forward. Even if it means having people scout games.”

Looking to the future, O’Sullivan, who was still on the books at Haverfordwest as a player, said he wouldn’t be hanging up his boots and ending his involvement in football for good.

“I’m not going to step away entirely,” he said.

“It’s only because of the S7 Fitness venture that I’m leaving Haverfordwest. I still look after myself and keep myself fit, and if there’s something I have the time to commit to whilst running the business that I’ll look at it.”

Haverfordwest County Chairman David Hughes, who O’Sullivan said he spoke to at great length to explain the decision, thanked him for his contribution.

“I was initially shocked to hear of Chris’s decision but having listened to his explanation, I have no doubt that he has made the correct one,” he said via a club statement.

“He has been involved for many years as a talented and extremely competitive player and over the last twelve months he and Sean Cresser have been instrumental in implementing the club’s vision of involving a large percentage of local talent into the squad.

"Undoubtedly, it was the local knowledge and respect that Chris had that made a great impact when their first squad was assembled. The transition was carried out with great success – a fourth place league finish and strong cup runs in all competitions is testimony to the great work that was done by Chris and Sean.

“Everyone at the club would like to wish Chris every success in his exciting new business venture and thank him sincerely for his great service over a decade or so.”