Winless Keith McMahon steps down as Phoenix Sports manager with club set to announce changes at boardroom level

PHOENIX SPORTS manager Keith McMahon has agreed to step down from the role last night – as the low budget club are set to announce changes in the board room.

McMahon joined the club as first-team assistant manager in October 2023 for a brief spell under Steve O’Boyle, having previously managed Thamesmead Town, VCD Athletic and Whitstable Town before taking sole charge at the start of the season.

McMahon took the reigns in the summer after O'Boyle left the club on 8 May to join James Collins' management team at Isthmian League Premier Division side Bowers & Pitsea.

Phoenix Sports are rooted to the foot of the Isthmian League South East Division table, having picked up one draw from their first eight league games.

The Barnehurst-based outfit are joined in the eighth-tier relegation zone by Ashford United (two points from four games), Three Bridges (three points from six games) and Lancing (four points from seven games).

McMahon’s thirteenth and final game in charge saw Ernie Batten’s Sheppey United come away with a 2-0 win last Saturday.

Keith McMahon’s winless spell in charge of Phoenix Sports:
3 August 2024 – FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round – Away – Epsom & Ewell D0-0
6 August – FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round Replay – Home – Epsom & Ewell L1-3
10 August – League – Away – Hythe Town – L1-2
24 August – League – Home – Three Bridges – D2-2
26 August – League – Away – Erith Town – L0-2
31 August – League – Home – Eastbourne Town – L0-2

4 September – Velocity Cup First Round – Away – Sevenoaks Town L0-3
7 September – FA Trophy First Qualifying Round – Away – Uxbridge – L0-6
10 September – League – Away – Sittingbourne – L0-4
14 September – League – Home – East Grinstead Town – L1-2
21 September – League – Away – Lancing – L0-2
24 September – Kent Senior Cup First Round – Away – Folkestone Invicta – D1-1 (Phoenix Sports win 5-4 on penalties)
28 September – League – Home – Sheppey United – L0-2

“The decision was made after lengthy discussions with a new board member, who is set to join the club this week,” said a club statement.

“The changes at board level will secure an exciting future for Phoenix, with improvements planned both on and off the pitch.

“Although the new board member acknowledges the hard work Keith has put into the season so far, a new management team was part of his long-term plan for the club.”

Former Beckenham Town manager Darren Anslow – who has recently left Eden Park Avenue after less than a year in charge – has been linked to having a part to play in the new set-up at the Mayplace Ground.

Current Phoenix Sports chairman Andy Mortlock said: “On behalf of everyone at the football club, I would like to thank Ketih and his staff for their hard work and dedication.  I sincerely wish them all the best for the future.

“They’ve worked incredibly hard with the tools at their disposal, in a very competitive league.

“We are confident that Keith will find success in whatever comes next for him and everyone at the club wishes him the very best.

“We will be updating members and supporters in the next few days on both the club’s new first-team management team and the changes at board level.

“Despite the exciting developments off the pitch, this is obviously a disappointing time for Keith, who is a friend and a long-term Phoenix stalwart – everyone at the club wishes him well.”

Phoenix Sports are without a game at the weekend before they travel to fifth-from-bottom side Littlehampton Town on Saturday 12 October, a side that have picked up four points from six games.

Phoenix Sports website: www.phoenixsportsclub.co.uk