James Rogers takes interim charge of Hythe Town after Nathan Elder ruled himself out of the job through work commitments

HYTHE TOWN appointed midfielder James Rogers as their interim manager on Tuesday night.

The 36-year-old has taken charge of team affairs at Reachfields Stadium following the departure of Steven Watt on 15 November.

Rogers, who has previously played for Dartford, Dover Athletic, Maidstone United and Margate joined Hythe Town in October 2019.

“James will provide continuity with the current squad and has worked with some of Kent’s top managers during his career,” said club secretary Martin Giles.

“He brings experience and passion and was keen to make this step up as he starts to look towards a career in football management.

“Current assistant manager, Nathan Elder, who ruled himself out of the managerial role due to work commitments, and player-coach Frannie Collin, will be in charge for our visit to Lancing on Saturday.  James will take up the reins for our home Kent Senior Cup tie against Faversham next Tuesday.”

Rogers will be assisted by centre-half Tom Wynter, 31.

Elder and Collin took charge of the club for their 3-0 home defeat to struggling Whitstable Town last weekend.

Keith McMahon's side were thrashed 6-1 by National League South leaders Dartford last night in the Kent Senior Cup Final of 2019-20.

Jake Robinson's 17th career hat-trick helped Steve King's side pick up the silverware at Princes Park.

The Cannons, meanwhile, are presently sitting in fourteenth-place in the Isthmian League South East Division table, having collected five wins and two draws from their 13 league games.

Lancing are in the bottom four with 12 points from their 14 league outings.

Visit Hythe Town’s website: www.hythetownfc.co.uk