Sheppey United appoint Kevin Watson while Lordswood axe joint-managers Ross Wiles and Lee Garlinge with the club bottom of the table

SHEPPEY UNITED have appointed Kevin Watson as their new manager once this season has been completed.

The 43-year-old has previously managed Chatham Town, Cray Valley (Paper Mills), Herne Bay and Ashford United.

During his five-year spell in charge of Cray Valley, the club secured promotion from the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division and reached The FA Vase Final in 2019.

Sheppey United are mourning the loss of Ernie Batten, who sadly passed away last Saturday and his close friend and assistant manager Geoff Record took charge of yesterday’s 4-2 home defeat to Deal Town.

“It was of the utmost importance to the board that the next first team manager of Sheppey United would be someone who the late, great Ernie Batten would have approved of,” said a club statement.

“Ernie’s legacy is woven into the very fabric of this football club and as we move forward, we do so with his values, his passion and his vision firmly in hand.

“Kevin’s relationship with Ernie was one built on mutual respect and a sheared love for an attacking style of football.

“We feel confident from their strong relationship built over the years that he is the right person to guide the club through this initial transition period and into the next chapter of our journey.

“His experience, leadership and understanding of what Sheppey United represents will be valuable as we continue to build on the foundations laid by Ernie.

“Also coming into the new management set up will be Tommy Osbourne, formerly assistant manager to Watson at Cray Valley and would later replace him as manager when Watson stood down.

“Geoff Record and Ira Jackson will continue to manage the team until the end of this current season, with Kevin Watson already now actively working in the background on player retention, recruitment and pre-season planning.

“We’d like to place on record our thanks to Geoff and Ira for helping manage and coach the side and staying on for the last six games of the season.”

The Ites are presently sitting in ninth-place in the Isthmian League South East Division table, having picked up 48 points (14 wins, six draws and 14 defeats).

Sheppey United are 16 points adrift of the play-offs.

Meanwhile, Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division basement side Lordswood have parted company with their joint-managers today.

Chairman Ray Broad said: “We can confirm that we have taken the decision to part ways with our joint-managers Ross Wiles and Lee Garlinge.

“We would like to thank them both for their hard work and efforts over the last four and a half months.

“We wish them the very best for the future."

Lordswood have picked up 23 points (six wins, five draws and 20 defeats)  and are six points adrift of safety with seven games remaining.

The pair were in charge for 20 games in all competitions and Lordswood claimed three wins, four draws and 13 defeats.

Their last game in charge was yesterday’s 2-1 home defeat to Tunbridge Wells, who arrived in Medway on the back of five straight defeats but the Lords have acted having lost their last four league outings.

"We are pleased to announce the appointment of our new management team, Jason Lillis, Scott Porter and Mark Lane," added Mr Broad.

"We look forward to working with Jason, Scott and Mark.

"First team coach Sam Wilson will assist the new management team with the transition and then will be stepping away at the end of next week.

"We would like to place on record our thanks to Sam for all his efforts on and off the pitch and wish him all the very best for the future."

Lordswood are in the drop zone with Snodland Town (29 points from 32 games), while Lydd Town are out of relegation trouble for the first time in a long time with 29 points.