STEVE Claridge insists he will not walk out on Weymouth if chairman Ian Ridley resigns this weekend.

Ridley is expected to resign later today after the Terras host Bishop's Stortford at the Wessex Stadium.

The Football author and journalist's likely departure has left question marks over the future of close friend and player-boss Claridge, whose biography Tales from the Boot Camp was penned by Ridley.

Although all parties have remained tight-lipped, Ridley and Weymouth chief executive Martin Harrison have confirmed they will make a statement after this afternoon's Nationwide South game.

Claridge's friendship with Ridley has led to speculation the former Portsmouth striker will follow the Observer journalist out of the exit door at Radipole Lane.

But Claridge told Echosport: "I don't know what has gone on behind the scenes and certainly have not been privvy to all the conversations and discussions at boardroom level.

"While myself and Ian are good friends, I have always said from day one when I arrived at the club that our relationship at Weymouth Football Club was a professional one.

"Should Ian officially step down it will be a sad occasion because no one has worked harder to turn the club's fortunes around over the last 18 months or so.

"But the bottom line is that I'm employed as the manager of Weymouth Football Club and I'm here to do a job.

"I've been fairly pleased with the progress we've made so far and although the start of this season has been disappointing, I intend to be here for the long haul."

Ridley became chairman at the Wessex Stadium after a lengthy power struggle last year.

After sacking former boss Geoff Butler, the life-long Terras fan installed Claridge as player-manager last June handing the ex- Millwall star a five-year contract.

Claridge, a high-profile media pundit, rejected a host of offers to return to the professional game last season.

And he today reaffirmed his commitment to Weymouth, saying he intended to see out the remaining four years of his deal on the south coast.

He said: "My deal at the club has just under four years to run and, like I said, I hope to be here for the rest of my contract.

"There seems to be speculation about my position pretty much all the time but I want to say the same thing now that I've constantly said over the last 12 months.

"When I joined the club I set out my aims and I am here to move the club forward.

"I'm enjoying it down there and so my message is that I fully intend to see out my contract - with or without Ian - and want to get on with the job of moving us up the table and back into a position where I feel we should be."