FRED DAVIES was sacked as Terras' director of Football last night in a dramatic shake-up at the Dr Martens Premier Division's second-placed club.

The other half of the Weymouth management team, player-boss Andy Mason, is believed to have been offered a coaching role as the club lines up the former Queens Park Rangers and Stockport County coach Des Balpin to take over.

It is understood that Balpin will be unveiled at a press conference at the Wessex Stadium tonight.

Terras chairman Terry Bennett said: "I can confirm that due to family commitments, Fred Davies has been relieved of his duties as director of football at Weymouth Football Club. Because of the healthy nature of our current league position, the board of directors have decided that a replacement is found as soon as possible.

"Andy Mason has not been sacked although he has been informed of what's happening and we are expecting him to make a decision about his future later today. It is hoped that he will continue with the club and help us get promotion into the Conference."

He added: "This football club is in the best league position it's been in for about 14 years and we might not get this sort of chance of gaining promotion again. The fans and town in general would never forgive us if we didn't have a real go for promotion and that's why changes like these have to be made."

However, Mr Bennett refused to confirm Balpin's appointment.

He said: "We have been talking to a number of people about the job but it would not be fair to name names. But everything should be in place tonight and more information will be made available then."

Prison officer Mason was unavailable for comment this morning, but Telford-based ex-Bournemouth goalkeeper Davies said he was "disappointed" by the decision after asking for time off to be with his sick wife.

He explained: "I feel very disappointed that Weymouth weren't prepared to give me the time I asked for to allow me to get over the present difficulties with my wife's health.

"She had a mini-stroke a month ago and I told the club that I would only be able to put time in on match days for a while because I didn't want to leave on her own overnight.

"But I explained that the specialist had said the situation would change when her tablets kicked in in a few weeks time and at first they were sympathetic and said you must look after the wife. But now they have changed their minds and told me they were not now prepared to give me the time to get over the problem. I guess they must have something else in mind and I suppose that is up to them.

"It's disappointing because I felt Andy and I have had a very good relationship which was obviously working. We never guaranteed promotion but the team is now in a very healthy position in the league and I can't understand why they wanted to disrupt things.

"I feel disapppointed for the supporters because they deserve to see the club in the Conference and that is where we were looking to take them. When we got there I would have walked away."