I want to progress and build a career in football, says John Ovard

MANAGER John Ovard says he has parted company with Haart of Kent County League side Saga Sports & Social Club because he wants to progress and build a career in football.


The Hythe-based club were formed in 2002 and lie in third-place in the Division One table, with seventeen wins from 26 games, but they are sixteen points adrift of leaders Hildenborough Athletic.

The side have two games left to play.  Their home game against University of Kent on Tuesday evening has been switched to their opponents ground in Canterbury, before they end their campaign away to Sheppey United on Saturday afternoon.

Ovard, who played semi-professional football in east Kent, said:  “I’ve been manager for three-and-a-half-years and in that time we’ve won the County Division Two and the Les Leckie Cup both for the first time since Saga was formed.

“We are in our first year in the newly formed east and west Division One and we are looking to finish in the top three so I’m extremely proud of what I’ve been able to do at the football club.

“I wish to thank our main sponsors’ that have backed me and the team in the last three years with the financial help needed to keep a grass roots football club alive.

“I would also like to thank the players and just as important all the people that I have worked with behind the scenes at the football club since I took the manager’s job.

“The progression we’ve had is all down to them because without the hard work and commitment they have all given me would not have been successful and achieved what we did and I’ll never forget that.

“I feel it’s the right time to leave now after nearly four years.  I am ambitious and I want to progress and learn more and build a career in football so I am looking forward to the new challenges ahead.”