Chief executive Brian Caldwell last week pointed out that Kettlewell’s side were outperforming clubs with bigger budgets and were nine points better off at the same stage last season.

However, they lost 2-1 away to bottom side St Johnstone on Saturday and Well say Kettlewell approached Caldwell to resign on Monday morning.

“Stuart explained that some of the personal abuse was now affecting his family, to the point where they didn’t wish to attend games,” the club said in a website statement.