Snodland Town appoint Luke Jessup after parting company with Byron Walker, while Ryan Maxwell signs new two-and-a-half year contract to stay at Sittingbourne

SNODLAND TOWN have appointed Luke Jessup as their new manager yesterday after parting company with rookie manager Byron Walker.

The club gave Walker his first job in management and he was in charge of 24 completed games, winning seven, drawing five and losing 12 in all competitions, with a win ratio of 29 per cent.

Snodland Town are in the bottom three of the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division table, having picked up 17 points (four wins, five draws and 10 defeats) from their 19 league games.

The side are just one point clear of the relegation zone, which contains Hollands & Blair (16 points from 20 games) and Lydd Town (12 points from 16 games).

The bottom four sides (the other being Lordswood) have all changed their managers this season, with Kevin Stevens at Bearsted looking over his shoulder on 17 points from their 16 games and without a win in their last eight games in all competitions.

A club statement said: “We have parted ways with first team manager Byron Walker.

“We would like to thank him and his management team for all their efforts this season. We wish them all the best for the future.

“We are pleased to announce our new first team manager Luke Jessup and his management team Aaron Lacy and Luke Hewitt.”

Jessup was Hollands & Blair manager until Thursday 10 October, leaving the Gillingham-based outfit after 31 games in all competitions, where he won nine, drew six and lost 16, with a win ratio of 29 percent.

Meanwhile, Sittingbourne handed their manager/director of football, Ryan Maxwell a new two-and-a-half-year contract on Friday.

The Belfast-born 41-year-old has guided the Woodstock Park outfit to second-place in the Isthmian League South East Division table, battling it out with Ramsgate for the title.

Ben Smith’s Rams’ have picked up 52 points from their 19 games, while the Brickies’ have picked up two fewer points from the same number of games.

“We are very pleased to announce that Ryan has signed an extension,” said a club statement.

“We know how important Ryan’s role has been in changing this club and we are very happy he has committed to the club.

“Ryan would be the first to also include his coaching staff, players and all you fans as doing their part too.”

Sittingbourne have won their last six games and are unbeaten in their last 19 games in all competitions, last tasting defeat back on the 28 September, losing 3-0 at home to Plymouth Parkway in The FA Cup Third Qualifying Round.

Sittingbourne host Salisbury in The FA Trophy Fourth Round on Saturday 4 January 2025, which is the Brickies’ best ever run in the competition.

Maxwell takes his side to Eastbourne Town next Saturday.  Jude MacDonald’s side went down to a 4-1 defeat at Sevenoaks Town yesterday.  It was a flattering win for Marcel Nimani's side.  His goalkeeper, Jordan Perrin, 25, scooped the man of the match award.

Ebbsfleet United parted company with Harry Watling last Wednesday, having failed to get the Stonebridge Road outfit off the foot of the Vanarama National League table.

The 35-year-old was in charge for 18 games in all competitions, where he claimed two wins, seven draws and nine defeats during his time at the club.

Josh Wright, assisted by David Kerslake, took charge of yesterday’s 4-1 defeat at now leaders Barnet.

The Fleet have picked up one win, six draws and 15 defeats in the fifth-tier and are at least 11 points adrift of safety, as they go in search for their third permanent boss of the campaign.