Chairman Matt Hume puts himself in temporary charge of Rochester United after parting company with Barry Morgan after 19 games in charge

ROCHESTER UNITED begin the search for a new manager following the departure of Barry Morgan after 19 games in charge.

The Rede Court Road outfit are sitting in fourteenth-place (bottom five) in the Southern Counties East Football League First Division table, having collected four wins and two draws from their 14 league outings.

“It is with regret that Barry Morgan has left the club by mutual consent,” said a club statement.

“We would like to thank Barry for all his hard work and commitment he has shown at the club since he joined us at the beginning of the season.

“Chairman of the club, Matt Hume will step in as manager until an appointment is made, hopefully within the not too distant future.”

Morgan was a part of Ernie Batten’s management team at Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division side Sheppey United before taking over Rochester United after the club lost their top-flight status last season.

Rochester United have lost 12 of the 19 games that Morgan has been manager and his last game in charge was their 7-0 defeat in Dartford against fellow strugglers Kent Football United at the weekend.

Hume, who has had several spells as first team manager, returns to the dug-out for Saturday’s trip to eighth-placed Stansfeld and the club are seven points clear of bottom-side Snodland Town.