It feels that the time is right for AFC Croydon Athletic to part company with joint-manager's Kevin Rayner and Lee Roots, says chairman Danny Young

AFC CROYDON ATHLETIC have parted company with joint-managers Kevin Rayner and Lee Roots after eight games in charge of the club together.

The Rams are in fourteenth-place in the Combined Counties League Premier Division South table, with five points (one win, two draws) from their opening five games and suffered a 1-0 home defeat at the hands of Jersey Bulls last night.

“The club wish to announce that both Kevin Rayner and Lee Roots have left their role as joint-manager with immediate effect,” said a club statement.

“The club would wish to extend our thanks to their hard work during their time at the club.”

Rayner first joined the club as manager in 2016 and during the last seven years he has taken charge of nearly 300 games. 

Roots departed Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division side Holmesdale in the summer to join Rayner at AFC Croydon Athletic.

The pair opened their campaign with a 3-1 home win over Sutton Athletic in The FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round, before league draws against Alton Town (1-1) and Horley Town (2-2) followed.

A televised FA Cup victory over Horley Town (1-0) followed, before the club went down to a 4-2 away defeat to Tooting & Mitcham United, but they bounced back with a 2-1 midweek win at Colliers Wood United.

Marlow ended the club’s FA Cup campaign with a 2-0 win, before the pair took charge of their last game, going down to a last-gasp defeat to Jersey Bulls last night.

Chairman and joint-owner Danny Young said in a statement: “It feels that the time is right.  After having had an opportunity to work with Kevin and Lee during pre-season and then during the opening games, I do not doubt their commitment and dedication to the club and on behalf of the owners I would personally thank them for all they have done and wish them every success in the future.

“Things have been moving very fast over the last few weeks.  We expect to have a new manager in place soon and further announcements will be made over the coming days.”

AFC Croydon Athletic welcome tenth-placed side Camberley Town to Mayfield Stadium on Saturday.

Visit AFC Croydon Athletic’s website: www.afccroydonathletic.co.uk