JIM HARVEY has confirmed for the first time that Forest Green Rovers have sacked him as their manager, writes Stuart Hammonds.

The former Morecambe boss, 51, has also vowed to clear his name after being axed for "a serious breach of contract" – understood to be talking to Cambridge United about their vacant managerial role after Gary Brabin was sacked a month ago.

The Northern Irishman has not been seen at the New Lawn in almost a fortnight. It is believed Rovers chairman Trevor Horsley is trying to axe him without paying compensation, and Harvey has instructed lawyers to fight his case.

In a statement issued to The Non-League Paper and then passed to the SNJ , he said: "It is with great sadness that I feel committed to have to release news of the fact that I was dismissed from my employment with the club at a meeting held before the pre-season fixture with a Leeds United XI on Wednesday, July 29.

“In that meeting I was accused of a serious breach of contract – an accusation that I completely deny.

“I instructed solicitors the following day and since then I have only corresponded through them. The club have appointed their own solicitors.

“I understand from my solicitors that the club’s conduct was procedurally deficient and that the club have been attempting to put right their procedural deficiencies by belatedly taking me through a disciplinary process even though they made it clear on July 29 that I was finished with the club.

“It is for this reason that no press release has been forthcoming from the club. I can confirm that I intend to fight the suggestion that I was in serious breach of contract and to clear my name of any wrongdoing.

“I thoroughly enjoyed my time with the club and for it to end in this way is extremely sad. I am unable to make any further comment. The matter is in the hands on my solicitor Lindsey Kidd of Hillyer McKeown.”

Harvey took over from Gary Owers six winless games into the 2006-07 season and led Rovers to Conference safety. He then took the Nailsworth club to their highest-ever finish – eighth in 2007-08 – and the FA Cup second and third rounds in his near three-year tenure.

He also raised around £200,000 in transfer fees by selling Golden Boot winner Stuart Fleetwood to Charlton, Mark Beesley to Cambridge and Simon Clist to Oxford, but had seen his playing budget cut drastically.

Harvey’s three-year contract is due to expire at the end of the current season.

His solicitor added: “The conduct of Forest Green Rovers Football Club has been nothing short of astonishing especially given the job that Jim has done for them since September 2006.

“We are pleased to have been instructed to help him clear his name of any impropriety.”

A Forest Green spokesman said: “We have no statement to make whatsoever and when we have a statement to make we will make it.”