Faversham Town axe boss Sammy Moore after only 52 games in charge: We feel that the combination of recent results together with the clear objectives of the football club that were set out at the start of the season have not been achieved

FAVERSHAM TOWN chairman Gary Smart has sacked manager Sammy Moore – despite sitting top of the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division table.

The Salters Lane outfit have picked up 13 wins, four draws and five defeats and are one point clear of Glebe in the table but suffered a 4-2 home defeat to Deal Town on Saturday and that has cost Moore his job.

Moore was in charge of 52 games in League and Cup, winning 25, drawing 10 and losing 17.

“Personally and from the board of directors we would like to thank Sammy and his amazing family for all the hard work and effort that has been put into the club over the last 14 months,” said Smart in a statement.

“As a board and with the resources at the disposal for the management team along with the quality of players that have been signed this season, we feel that the combination of recent results together with the clear objectives of the football club that were set out at the start of the season have not been achieved.

“Matthew Newman will stand in as caretaker manager for the coming days until the search of the new manager has been completed.

“The club will make an announcement on the new appointment within the very near future.

“Our focus for Faversham Town Football Club remains the same from now until the end of the season to gain promotion and to build a team that can challenge in this League and the League above.

“I’m sure you will all join us to wish Sammy Moore best wishes for the future.”

The club had a £6,000 per week playing budget but finished second-from-bottom in the Isthmian League South East Division last season, picking up 31 points (eight wins, seven draws and 23 defeats) from their 38 games.

Moore was handed a treasure chest of £10,000 per week in the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division  – the highest budget in the ninth-tier League's history – but has been axed having suffered five league defeats this season.

Steve King’s Deal Town have now emerged as the favourites to win the league title, with four games in hand on the Lilywhites.

Faversham Town welcome fourteenth-placed side Tunbridge Wells to Salters Lane on Saturday 6 January (15:00).

Steve Ives' side beat their local rivals Rusthall 2-0 on Saturday and have picked up 22 points (six wins, four draws and 10 defeats) from their 20 league outings this season.

Applications for the role will be open until 17:00 on Friday 5 January 2024.

Please apply by email to secretary@favershamtown.co.uk

Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division - Promotion Race 

Top team automatically promoted, next four teams in play-offs

1 Faversham Town - 22 games - 43 points
2 Glebe - 22 games - 42 points
3 Deal Town - 18 games - 41 points
4 Corinthian - 19 games - 39 points
5 Erith Town - 21 games - 39 points
6 Whitstable Town - 22 games - 39 points
7 Punjab United - 20 games - 35 points
8 Bearsted - 20 games - 34 points
9 Snodland Town - 20 games - 31 points
10 Fisher - 20 games - 31 points
11 Lydd Town - 16 games - 27 points

Visit Faversham Town’s website: www.favershamtownfc.co.uk