James Rogers steps down after 31 games in charge of Hythe Town

HYTHE TOWN begin the search for a new management team after James Rogers has stepped down from the manager’s role at Reachfields Stadium to continue his playing career elsewhere.

The 37-year-old defensive midfielder took over the reins on 23 November after Steven Watt stepped down due to a budget cut.

The Cannons maintained their Isthmian League South East Division status after finishing in seventeenth-place in the table on 39 points from 38 games, finishing six and nine points clear of Phoenix Sports and Whitstable Town respectively, who have been relegated to the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division.

Rogers guided Hythe Town to the Kent Senior Cup Semi-Finals where they lost 2-0 at home to their Isthmian League Premier Division rivals Folkestone Invicta on 27 April.

Neil Cugley’s side will play holders Dartford in the Final at Chatham Town’s Maidstone Road ground next Tuesday 17 May (19:45).

Rogers was assisted by Tom Wynter and Will Graham and both have also left the club.

“Well the plan when we all came in was build a new squad and try to stay up,” said coach Graham.

“We achieved our goal with everything going against us and can be proud of that achievement.

“Big shout-out to James Rogers and Tom Wynter, could not have picked a better pair to be in the trenches with.”

Rogers was in charge of 31 games while in charge of the club, winning six, drawn 10 and lost 15 and admitted his first managerial job has been challenging for the player-manager.

Meanwhile, Reachfields Stadium will stage Roy Godden’s testimonial match on Sunday 15 May (13:00).

The game will feature players that the retiring New Romney striker has played with during his career, which included playing for Hythe Town, as a Dave Johncock XI lock horns with a Paul Fisk XI.