Deacey was informed his services were no longer required when he turned up for training yesterday tea-time - assistant boss Parsley was put in charge of the session and handed the reins for tomorrow's Blue Square North encounter as Celtic ponder their next move.

Deacey was heavily involved in the most successful period in Celtic's history, as right-hand man to Lee Sinnott, as the club won three promotions in four seasons to reach the Conference for the first time in their history.

But after taking over from Sinnott last November, he couldn't prevent Farsley from slipping back into Blue Square North in May and the club's board decided to act after Celtic won just two out of their opening 10 league games this time round and were knocked out of the FA Cup by Stalybridge on Saturday.

Parsley told the Yorkshire Evening Post: "I took training last night and they asked me to take charge of the team for Saturday and the club will have a chat with me some time after the game.

"I am devastated for John because he has been there for a very long time and he has had unrivalled success at Farsley Celtic as part of the management team as we all know under Lee Sinnott.

"I am disappointed it has not worked out with him as manager and me as number two and I am disappointed for the football club that results haven't been as they expected.

"I want to thank John for inviting me to work with him in the first place. It's a difficult situation but as much as I and the players are disappointed to see John Deacey go, we have an important match against Hucknall and these players have an obligation to win that game."

Parsley will by no means have a full-strength squad at his disposal.

Injuries have hampered Deacey's progress this season and key players Craig Bentham (foot), Jamie Price (hamstring) and Andy Campbell (calf) will all be out tomorrow.