WAYNE Thorne’s future as Melksham Town manager remains unclear after two defeats in three days was followed by a week of rumours and speculation about his position.

The Conigre club have endured a miserable run of form in the past four weeks and suffered seven consecutive defeats including elimination from the FA Vase and Les Phillips Cup.

It is understood Thorne discussed resigning with acting chairman Darren Perrin, in the role while his father Mick is away, at the weekend after a 3-1 loss at Wellington and was talked out of the decision at least temporarily.

Melksham hosted Hallen on Monday evening and fielded winger Simeon Allison and defender Jamie Cheeseman, both now dual-registered with Frome Town – where Perrin is manager – but lost 3-1 thanks to two second-half defensive errors.

Rumours again circulated on Tuesday that Thorne had stepped down from his position as manager but Darren Perrin said he expects him to be in the dugout for the weekend’s visit of Ilfracombe Town, who are currently second in the table.

“I’ve heard all the rumours as well,” he said. “But Wayne is still in charge and will be for Saturday’s game.”

A final decision will now likely be made when chairman Mick Perrin to the club in the next 10 days.

“I know them boys in that dressing room, they shouldn’t be in the bottom three they should be in the top three,” said a despondent Thorne, speaking after Monday’s defeat.

“I’m just not getting the best out of the players. I’ll ask the chairman when he gets back. It’s up to him if he decides to look elsewhere.

“I’m not a quitter, everyone who knows me knows I’m not a quitter, but I need to get the best out of these players.

“I care about the lads, I care about the football club. If I’m not the right man I’ll walk away, no worries at all, because I want the Melksham Town and the best for the lads.”

Melksham currently have 10 points from 12 games in the league and sit fourth from bottom of the Western Premier Division.

“That’s four games on the trot where we’ve conceded three goals,” he said. “I need to take stock of it.

“The club probably won’t do anything until the chairman gets back. By that time we’ll probably have played 15 or 16 league games.

“If we’re still on the same points, which at the minute we look like we’re going to be, then maybe it will be too late.

“You could say give it time but maybe they need to get somebody in as soon as possible.”

Thorne was unavailable for further comment later in the week but midfielder Dan Lardner, who arrived at the club in the summer from Calne, has backed the under-pressure boss.

“The players try not to talk about managers and things like that,” he said. “But from my point of view he is the right man for the job and will get us out of it.”