Tony Russell to leave Lewes after three seasons in charge at The Dripping Pan

LEWES have confirmed manager Tony Russell and his assistant Joe Vines will be leaving the East Sussex club at the end of this season.

The pair joined the club in April 2021, guiding the club to a seventh-place finish in the Isthmian League Premier Division in their first full campaign.

This was followed by a sixth-place finish in the 2022-23 season, missing out on a play-off spot on goal difference.

This season The Dripping Pan outfit progressed to The FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round, the furthest point that Lewes had made in the competition in over a decade.

Chief Executive Maggie Murphy said in a statement: “We thank Tony and Joe for the countless hours that go into managing at this level and for helping to create some truly memorable moments with some truly memorable players they brought in.  We wish them the best.”

Russell said in a statement: "Unfortunately, my time at the club is coming to an end, this is not a knee-jerk reaction to anything.  In fact, I made this decision before Christmas.

"I've honestly loved my time at the club, it's been one of my best footballing experiences to date and I can't thank the club and the fans enough for the part they have played in that.

"This has nothing to do with forthcoming budget discussions and decisions because I have not had any official chats with the club regarding next season or what it looks like.

"This also isn't about me going to another club because, as it stands, I don't have a club for next season.  This is about knowing when the time is right to move on and that's it.

"Lewes is a brilliant unique football club and I have embraced every quirkiness and loved it.  It's so different to any club I have been at before and that is one of the reasons why I have loved it as it is so different but as much as I have loved it off the pitch, on the pitch, I found it tricky to navigate at times.

"Every year has seen directors leaving and new directors coming in, plus variable wage budgets.  

"It's great to be part of a club that gives everyone opportunities at board room level and I've enjoyed being part of a fan-owned club but it has led to varied levels of support and also re-building the squad every summer."

Russell added: "Although I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Lewes, I feel the fans have only got glimpses of what is possible and that disappoints me because I so desperately wanted to repay everyone at the club for the way they have treated all of us.

"It's a special club and I am gutted to be walking away from that but there are far better managers than me who could thrive in that environment.  Unfortunately, after trying as hard as I could, it became clear that it was best for me to move on.

"Me and Joe are upset to be leaving and we are determined to finish as high in the final two league games."

Russell has previously managed Erith Town, VCD Athletic and Cray Wanderers.

He won the Isthmian League North title at VCD Athletic in 2014 and won the Isthmian League South East Division title with Cray Wanderers five years later.

Russell takes charge of his final two games, at home against Hashtag United this afternoon and away to relegated side Haringey Borough on the final day of the season.

Lewes are sitting in tenth-place in the seventh-tier league table, having won 18, drawn 7 and losing 15 of their league games this season.

Visit Lewes’ website: www.lewesfc.com