Hill confirm Chapman's departure

Burgess Hill Town today confirmed that manager Ian Chapman has left the club.

Chapman, whose tenure included a record breaking promotion from the South Division and some memorable FA Cup and FA Trophy runs- which included away victories over Sutton United and Aldershot Town- offered his resignation after an eight-nil hammering at Bognor Regis Town on 2nd October, and since then has been on gardening leave whilst Chairman Kevin Newell considered whether to accept it. In the interim caretaker managers Simon Wormull and John Rattle have steered the side to two wins, one draw and a narrow defeat to Wingate and Finchley on Tuesday night.

In a statement which you can read in full here, Newell paid tribute to his now-departed manager.

'I want to express my thanks to Ian for his wholehearted commitment to the club and his support for me and the ‘off the field’ team. He is highly regarded at the club both as a manager and as a man that I am pleased to call a friend. I know that such friendship and his affection for the club will survive this parting. I also want to thank Ian’s family who have enthusiastically helped and supported the club throughout his time here.'

Wormull and Rattle will remain in charge for the time being.