Hythe Town sack Ira Jackson after only 21 games in charge following a dissapointing run of results

HYTHE TOWN chairman Vishal Nanda has sacked Ira Jackson after only 21 games in charge at Reachfields Stadium.

The club parted company with the retired 28-year-old striker following their FA Vase exit at the hands of Burnham this afternoon.

Steadman Callender scored his fourth goal for the club to give the Cannons an eighth minute lead but had to settle for a draw and they eventually crashed out of the Second Round by losing 4-3 on penalties, watched by a low crowd of 125 at Reachfields Stadium.

The club have issued a 67-word statement this evening.

“We can confirm that this evening we have parted company with Ira Jackson Jr, as first team manager after a disappointing run of results.

“Ira has worked tirelessly to bring success to the club but unfortunately results have not gone his way.

“We, as a club, wish to thank Ira for his enormous efforts over the last three months and wish him every success for the future.”

Hythe Town suffered its first ever relegation last season, after dropping out of the Isthmian League South East Division, finishing second-from-bottom with 22 points (six wins, four draws and 32 defeats) from their 42 games.

The Cannons were at the summit of the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division on two occasions in their first three games, picking up seven points, after winning 3-0 at Corinthian, drawing 3-3 at Rusthall and thrashing Snodland Town 4-0 at home.

However, the club currently find themselves in the bottom three in the ninth-tier division, having collected just one more League win in their next 12 League outings and find themselves in relegation trouble once again.

Nanda who took over the club from Matthew Smith and Gary Johnson in April, ran a risk at appointing a rookie manager and it was no surprise that Jackson’s stay on the Kent coast has only lasted 21 games.

The struggling club are level on points with Hollands & Blair (who have a game in hand) and Stansfeld on nine points, also with a game in hand.

Ira Jackson’s disastrous spell in charge of Hythe Town:

League – Away – Corinthian – W3-0
FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round  - Home – Littlehampton Town – L2-5
League – Away – Rusthall – D3-3
League – Home – Snodland Town – W4-0
League – Away – Erith & Belvedere – L1-3
League – Home – Kennington – L0-2
League – Away  - Faversham Strike Force – L0-1
League – Home – Fisher – L0-2
League – Home – Larkfield & New Hythe – L1-3
League – Away – Chislehurst Glebe – W2-1
FA Vase Second Qualifying Round – Home – Athletic Newham – W4-3
League – Home – Bearsted – L2-3
League – Away – Phoenix Sports – L1-4
League – Home – Whitstable Town – L1-2
Kent Senior Trophy – Home – Sutton Athletic – L0-3
FA Vase First Round – Home – Peacehaven & Telscombe – W1-0
League – Away – Bearsted – L0-1
League – Away – Tunbridge Wells – L0-3
Challenge Cup – Away – Staplehurst Monarchs – W4-0
League – Away – Holmesdale – L2-4
FA Vase Second Round – Home – Burnham – D1-1 (Lost 3-4 on penalties)

Jackson said on X: “Thank you to Hythe Town for the opportunity but it’s a results business and that’s something we weren’t getting enough off.

“Wish the chairman and the club nothing but the best in the future. Time for a needed break from the game.”

The club have not stated whom will be in charge for their trip to Sutton Athletic next Saturday.

Visit Hythe Town’s website: www.hythetownfc.co.uk