Herne Bay part ways with manager Steve Lovell

HERNE BAY have parted ways with manager Steve Lovell tonight after just one win in their last nine games in all competitions.

 

The Winch’s Field outfit are sitting in seventeenth-place in the Isthmian League South East Division table, having picked up seven wins and three draws from their 24 games.

The 64-year-old Welshman’s final game in charge was to oversee a 2-0 away defeat at Lancing at the weekend, a side that are immediately beneath them in the league table on 21 points.

Herne Bay's Recent Run of Form:
Saturday 30 November 2024 - League - Home - Beckenham Town - W1-0
Tuesday 3 December - Kent Senior Cup QF - Away - Tonbridge Angels - L1-2
Saturday 7 December - League - Away - Ashford United - L1-3
Tuesday 10 December - League - Home - Sittingbourne - L0-4
Saturday 14 December - League - Home - East Grinstead Town - L1-2
Tuesday 17 December - League - Away - Broadbridge Heath - L0-3
Thursday 26 December - League - Away  - Deal Town - D1-1
Saturday 28 December - League - Home - Littlehampton Town - W3-2
Wednesday 1 January 2025 - League - Home - Margate - L1-2 
Saturday 11 January - League - Away - Lancing - L0-2

“It’s with great sadness that the club announces that we have parted ways with first team manager Steve Lovell, assistant manager Mark Lovell and physio Dave Hocking,” said a club statement.

“Steve came to the club during a tumultuous time and literally had to build a team from scratch.

“Last season’s eighth-place finish, the excellent win against Hendon and running Maidstone United so close in this year’s FA Cup are just a few of his highlights.

“We would sincerely like to place on record a huge thanks to Steve, Mark and Dave for their contribution both on and off the pitch over the past 18 months and they will be truly missed around the club.

“The club will advertise for a first team manager over the coming days.”

Lovell, who replaced Kevin Watson at the start of last season, was in charge of 81 games in all competitions, where Herne Bay claimed 32 wins, picked up 18 draws and lost 31 games.

Herne Bay are at home to Merstham next Saturday, 18 January (15:00) and they are seven points clear of the relegation zone in the eighth-tier division.

The four sides within the relegation zone are Littlehampton Town (17 points from 23 games), Phoenix Sports (14 points from 24 games), Hythe Town (14 points from 23 games) and Steyning Town Community (13 points from 24 games).

Visit Herne Bay’s website: www.hernebayfootballclub.co.uk