Dixon's successor named within hours

By David Watters

Hythe Town expect to name their new manager on Tuesday after parting company with Tim Dixon in the wake of their latest defeat in Ryman South.

Dixon, pictured, left Reachfields on Sunday after 16 months at the helm following his side's 2-1 defeat at Walton Casuals on Saturday, a result that left the Cannons third from bottom with just four points from a possible 30 after their ten league outings so far.

In a statement released on Monday confirming his departure, Cannons officials said Dixon's number two Darren Beale and coach Kevin Beale had also left after a meeting of the Kent club's directors on Sunday morning.

With officials waiting to unveil Dixon's successor, goalkeeping coach Mark Lane has agreed to take charge on Tuesday night when they host fellow strugglers Whitstable Town at Reachfields in what could already prove to be a crucial six pointer. Lane has also been asked to stay on at the club.

Hythe Town

Hythe Town

Hythe Town’s chairman Paul Markland said: “Firstly I must thank Tim for his work over the 16 months. Last season he had to rebuild a squad and this season we expected him to push on into the top half of the table, in fact he set himself a target of the Ryman South play-offs.

"Tim is a smashing person who is well respected in local football so we gave him some time to turn things around. However, events and results haven’t gone Tim’s way so the board has decided we need a fresh approach before we are too far into the season."

He added: "I wish Tim, Darren and Kevin all the best. It’s just a shame it has not worked out for them at Hythe Town FC but unfortunately for them this is a results-driven business.”

Dixon told the Folkestone Herald on Monday that he feared the worst after his side's latest defeat but had no regrets.

He told the paper's website: "To be honest, I could see it coming after Saturday. We went 2-1 down, had a chance to equalise at the death but missed from four yards and that summed it up.

"I'd have liked to have had a shot at the Whitstable game but that's football. I had a couple of players ready to bring in and a couple I was going to let go but the new manager will deal with that now.

"I have been very proud to have been manager of Hythe Town from the day I was appointed to the day I left. They have been a brilliant club to me and I thank them for that.

"I am a football man, I am hurting, I am passionate about the game. I gave everything my best at Hythe but it just didn't work out. I have no regrets about my time, none whatsoever."

He added: "It's a results business. Results haven't been good enough, performances haven't been good enough and I have paid the price with my job. I'm not the first manager to fall on my sword and I won't be the last."

Image courtesy of www.folkestoneherald.co.uk

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Where next?

Monday's Ryman Premier action review Wingate & Finchley missed the opportunity to move to the top of the Ryman League's Premier Division table on Monday night after suffering a 2-0 defeat in the North London derby against Enfield Town, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.
Follow Monday night's action on live scores! Stay in touch with Monday night's action in the Ryman League on the live scores service!

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