Two become one at Burgess Hill

Burgess Hill Town entered the Easter weekend with only half of their usual number of managers, after co-manager Jay Lovett departed, leaving Gary Mansell in sole charge.

A club statement explained:

'We have been lucky to have two really talented managers – and it was our hope for that to continue. However, it became apparent that the current co-manager arrangement was not going to be the right set-up for us as a club long term and we therefore found ourselves in the unenviable position of having to choose between two extremely capable individuals.

We had hoped Jay would stay on until the end of the season – and for him to enjoy the rest of what has been a brilliant first season back in Step 3 – but understandably he doesn’t feel that it’s right for him to do that, and hence today’s announcement. We want to sincerely thank Jay for everything he has done for the club in the past two years – and on a personal note we will be forever grateful to him for how much he helped us in our early time here and he leaves with our utmost respect and appreciation.'

Read more here. 

Gary was appointed to the top job at Hill in December 2023, whilst Jay became joint manager alongside him in May 2024. The due led the Hillians to South East promotion- via the Play Offs- last season, and he leaves them in a very respectable eighth place.

Jay was previously in sole charge of Hill, and of South Park Reigate and Haywards Heath Town. As a player turned out for the likes of Brentford, Plymouth Argyle, Crawley Town, Lewes, Eastbourne Borough and Met Police.