Burgess Hill Town unveil Matt Longhurst as their new manager

BURGESS HILL TOWN have appointed former Ramsgate boss Matt Longhurst as their new manager, replacing Jay Lovett, who left five days ago.

Longhurst has left Isthmian League Premier Division side Billericay Town, where he was first-team coach, to take charge in the eighth-tier of English football once again.

Burgess Hill Town find themselves in sixteenth-place in the Isthmian League South East Division table with a playing record of seven wins and eight draws from their 26 games and a point clear of the relegation play-off zone.

Local rivals Haywards Heath Town (28 points from 27 of 38 games) and Sittingbourne (26 points from 26 games) are in that zone, while Faversham Town (18 points from 28 games) and Corinthian (17 points from 26 games) are beneath the line.

A club statement said: “We are delighted that Matt Longhurst has agreed to become the clubs new first-team manager.

 “Matt is an experienced campaigner at this level and knows the league inside out, having previously managed Sussex neighbours East Grinstead Town for four successful years, taking them to their highest ever finish and most recently, he transformed a relegation-threatened Ramsgate and took them into the play-offs in just two seasons before resigning last April.

“We used a rigorous selection process and Matt delivered against all the criteria we were looking for.  With Matt’s experience at this level and the league above, we know he is the man to improve our current situation on the pitch.

“He also has an impressive track record of developing youth players and building community spirited projects, so alongside the immediate focus of supporting the team, he will be able to support us transform and build the club into being a true community hub for the people of Burgess Hill and Mid-Sussex.”

Longhurst’s first game in charge will be a trip to Hythe Town on Tuesday night (19:45).

Steven Watt’s side have climbed up to eighth-place in the Isthmian League South East Division table (41 points from 26 games) and are on the back of four wins on the bounce.

Such form has the Cannons just a couple of points adrift of the play-off zone.

Longhurst has previously managed Slade Green, Corinthian and Erith & Belvedere in Kent before moving to East Grinstead Town, then onto Ramsgate where he was full-time manager before announcing his shock departure last April.

Visit Burgess Hill Town’s website: www.bhtfc.co.uk