Heyrettin takes Luton job

Hakan Heyrettin is leaving Ryman North champions Grays Athletic to become John Still's assistant manager at Luton Town.

Heyrettin, pictured at June's Ryman League Ball with the Ryman Group's Theo Paphitis, informed the Premier Division newcomers on Friday that he was joining the Conference Premier's Hatters.

In a statement released on their official website, the Gravelmen thanked their former manager for his work and revealed that they hope to find an internal replacement.

Assistant manager Ryan Kirby and skipper Lee Flynn have taken temporary charge while the club's Board consider their options with the new season just over a month away.

Hayrettin started his career at Leyton Orient and also played for Barnet, Torquay United, Wycombe Wanderers, Cambridge United, Doncaster Rovers and Peterborough United. The 53-year-old went into coaching at youth level with Watford and has also worked at Waltham Forest and Thurrock.

His two years in charge of the Gravelmen included an historic run of 18 consecutive league wins between February and April to break a 105-year-old Ryman League record. Grays lost just four league outings all season to win promotion to the Ryman's top flight with a club record haul of 102 points from their 42 matches.