The Rocks manager and former player (pictured left) admitted leaving Nyewood had 'killed him' and had been the hardest decision he'd ever had to make.

He felt he had no choice but to take up an offer to become assistant manager and coach at Southern League side Gosport Borough.

That's because the Rocks are being forced to axe the budget for paying players and the coaching staff to avoid sinking further into debt.

They already owe around £150,000 and are urgently seeking new investment to allow them to stay competitive at Conference South level.

Without that investment, some if not all of the current players – who were all getting paid in the season just finished – will move on, and the club will rely on a team of youngsters for the new Conference South campaign.

That would surely make them favourites for relegation and a return to the Ryman League.

Already, Lewes - newly-promoted to the Conference - have swooped for defensive star duo Chris Breach and Seb Wallis-Tayler.

Fans will be heartbroken – and many will be angry – to see Birmingham go and the team who heroically avoided relegation broken up.

Birmingham told the club's management committee of his move at an emotionally-charged meeting on Tuesday night.

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He told the Observer: "It was horrible to have to do it. I started blubbing at one point. This has killed me, it really has.

"I've had 14 absolutely fantastic years at the club and can't speak highly enough of the club and the fans, and many of the players I've played alongside, coached and managed.

"If you asked me what the low point was of those 14 years, I'd have to say there was not one. It was all highs.

"We were promoted twice – never relegated – reached the first round of the FA Cup, the second round, and the fourth qualifying round a few times.

"I've made a lot of good friends there and I'm pleased to announce that Gosport will be coming to Bognor for a friendly which will give me a chance to say my goodbyes.

"All I can say to the fans is a big, big thank-you. I've had a great relationship with them over the years and will always remember them.

"They're a terrific and loyal set of fans and have always been good to me."

General manager Pearce paid tribute to Birmingham and wish him well in his new job, which sees him as right-hand man to Alex Pike at Privett Park. Birmingham's brother David is also joining Gosport.

Pearce said: "Mick has been a superb servant to this club for 14 years, but the sad fact is we have no money to pay a manager or players for the coming season.

"Historically, as a club, we have never promised managers or players financial agreements we know we cannot honour.

"Therefore, we cannot stand in Mick's way and wish him the very best for the future at Gosport.

"The greatest compliment I can give Mick and his service to the club is that the last time I felt like this about someone leaving the club was when the Pullen twins left.

"How Michael Birmingham was never given the chance to play in the Football League still amazes me. It turned out to be our good fortune and the league's loss.

"I hope he never regrets his decision not to join Aldershot Town, out of loyalty to Bognor, when he was in his playing prime."

Birmingham joined the Rocks as a teenager and played more than 600 games – scoring 86 goals – before hanging up his boots in the spring.

He was assistant manager to Pearce for several seasons before taking over as team boss last October.