YORK City legend Clayton Donaldson has left his role as Head Coach at Farsley Celtic. 

Farsley, who currently play their football in the Vanarama National League North, announced on social media last night that they had parted ways with Donaldson, as Head Coach. 

The veteran striker still remains registered as a player, but will no longer hold the managerial responsibilities that he did previously.

The Celts have replaced Donaldson and assistant boss Danny Ellis with Director of Football Pav Singh, who will be assisted by Chris Atkinson and Conor Branson, who are both players for the West Yorkshire club. 

Donaldson's sacking has come as a shock to the footballing world due to the limited resources at his disposal with Farsley, who are being forced to play their opening eight matches of the season away from home due to pitch renovations. 

Despite being tipped to struggle, Farsley have surprised people by accumulating nine points from their opening six matches, being just one point adrift of Scarborough Athletic in the play-offs. 

It was Donaldson's second season in charge after avoiding relegation on the final day of last season, with the former Jamaican international impressing as both a player and a coach. 

Donaldson began his playing career in 2002 with Hull City, where he would make his professional debut, whilst also undergoing loan spells at Harrogate Town, Scarborough and FC Halifax Town. 

His first stint with York came in 2005, where 'the Don' registered an incredible 41 goals in 85 matches, ending the 2006/07 season in fourth position of the Vanarama National League, but losing out in the play-offs to Morecambe. 

Clayton Donaldson will remain as a player for Farsley Celtic.Clayton Donaldson will remain as a player for Farsley Celtic. (Image: Tom Poole)

Donaldson's impressive displays for City earned a move into the Scottish Premiership with Hibernian, where he managed five goals in 18 appearances, before making the permanent switch back into England with Crewe Alexandra. 

The striker again flourished when South of the border, bagging 47 goals in 117 appearances, before going on to have spells with the likes of Brentford, Birmingham City, Bolton Wanderers and Bradford City. 

With Donaldson slowly dropping down in the divisions with age, he made a glorious return to the Minstermen in the 2021/22 season, where he aided the club to promotion from the National League North into the National League, appearing 33 times and scoring eight. 

After his departure from York, who were now back in the fifth tier, an impressive spell with Gainsborough Trinity followed, before the 40-year-old made his first steps into management at Farsley. 

Farsley said on their club website: "When making decisions of this kind, a large number of contributory factors are taken into consideration, but ultimately the board works solely for the benefit of Farsley Celtic FC, its development and its future, that’s where our loyalties are and will always be.

"Danny and Clayton are both registered as players with the club, and we still retain that registration.

"I’d like to take this opportunity to thank both Danny and Clayton for their efforts and wish them all the best in their future endeavours.

"Director of Football Pav Singh will take over the reigns as manager, and will be assisted by club legend, club captain and record appearance maker Chris Atkinson as well as UEFA A licensed coach and vice captain Conor Branson."