Ray Turner parts company with Faversham Town: The time was right to step aside as first team manager of this wonderful football club

FAVERSHAM TOWN begin the search for a new manager after Ray Turner stepped down with immediate effect last night.

Turner – who has been at Salters Lane for nearly 15 years – took over as manager in 2011 after successful stints as under 18 manager and assistant manager to Justin Luchford.

The Lilywhites were knocked out of The Buildbase FA Trophy in the Preliminary Round by their local rivals Sittingbourne, who came away from Salters Lane with a 2-0 win in Turner’s last game in charge at the weekend, which extended their winless run to five outings.

Faversham Town are presently sitting in 12^th place in the Bostik South East Division table with 11 points from nine games.

Coach Clive Walker has agreed to stay on to take this weekend’s home match against Haywards Heath Town.

Turner informed the board and the players of his decision immediately after the game on Saturday but the club took until Monday night to break the news.

He was appointed manager towards the end of the 2010/11 season after successful stints as under 18s manager and assistant manager to Luchford.

It was the club’s first in the Isthmian League after winning the Kent League Premier Division and Faversham finished eighth.

In the following seasons, Turner established the club at Isthmian League level before leading them to the play-offs three times in 2012/13, 2014/15 and 2015/6 – twice missing out on promotion in the final.

“The time was right to step aside as first team manager of this wonderful football club,” Turner told www.favershamtownfc.co.uk.

“I take with me some fantastic memories but my time had to come to an end and it's now time for someone else to take this club forward.

“It's very difficult to thank everyone who has helped and supported me but I would first like to thank all the players I have had the privilege to work with.

“I still believe the current squad can compete again for the play-offs this season and I wish them all the best.

“I would like to thank all the supporters that have been with me through good and bad and all the board members who have supported me, especially Ray Leader who I loved working for and Paul Bennett the current chairman who understood my reasons for leaving and without doubt will take this club forward.

“I would like to leave my final thank you to my brilliant management team and in particular Clive Walker.

“He has stayed unequivocally loyal at all stages and I can't thank him enough.”

Chairman Paul Bennett said: “Everyone connected to this club, whether as a player, official or supporter, has an immense amount to thank Ray for and will join me in wishing him the very best for his future.

“Ray has been a huge part of this club’s success and progression for many years. He has worked tirelessly to help shape this club into what it is and he will always be a huge part of it.

“He will also be a tough act to follow, and our job now is to find the right person to build on what He has achieved and take this club to the next level.”

The board met on Monday evening to agree the process for appointing a successor, which will begin this week.

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