Ramsgate chairman James Lawson accepts Matt Longhurst's resignation after a long period of reflection

RAMSGATE chairman James Lawson says after a long period of reflection the club has accepted the resignation of its full-time manager Matt Longhurst seven days after the former East Grinstead Town submitted it.

 

Longhurst offered his resignation last Sunday but was in the away dug-out for yesterday’s 4-1 defeat away to fellow play-off chasing side Cray Valley (Paper Mills).

Hastings United are on course of winning the Isthmian League South East Division title, having picked up 78 points from their 34 league games.

Ashford United (66 points from 34 games), Cray Valley (65 points from 34 games), Haywards Heath Town (62 points from 34 games) and Ramsgate (59 points from 34 games) currently occupy the play-off places and Longhurst’s decision to step down from the role with only four league games remaining seems to be odd timing.

“As many are aware Matt Longhurst informed the club on his decision to resign from the football club last Sunday,” said Lawson in a statement.

“After a long period of reflection, the club have decided to accept this offer with Matt exiting from all duties at the club with immediate effect.

“We would like to place on record our thanks to Matt for his part in our rapid expansion to become one of the largest community clubs in the country.

“We have a brand new 3G surface and hugely upgraded infrastructure.

“The club is proud to have a squad full of extremely talented young players and currently sit in the play-off positions with four games left.  Whilst average home attendances have grown to around seven hundred.

“After achieving rapid growth and becoming such an important institution in our community, now is the time for professionalism and stability.

“We embark on a huge week with over three hundred and fifty children attending our Easter camps ahead of a home game against fellow play-off contenders Haywards Heath.

“The club have projects in the pipeline that are far more ambitious than anything we have already achieved to date and we will take to a number of people about the first-team role this week.

“We move forward more united than ever.”

The Rams host Haywards Heath Town at Prices Avenue next Saturday, 9 April, before a trip to Ashford United on Easter Saturday, before hosting relegation threatened Whitstable Town on Easter Monday, before the Rams travel to Chichester City on the final day of the season.

Sixth-placed side Herne Bay are only a point behind and Ben Smith’s side are ready to pounce should Ramsgate slip up.

Longhurst was appointed Ramsgate’s manager on Tuesday 31 December 2019 after four years in charge of fellow Isthmian League South East Division side East Grinstead Town.