The statement reads: "It is with regret that we are announcing the departure of manager Jay Lovett.

“We would like to thank Jay for his contribution over the past 12 months, in which time he helped secure our Step 4 status and continued to move us forward this season. We are understandably disappointed that Jay is leaving after a relatively short time with us but understand the pull of his local club.

“Having given Jay his first management opportunity in senior football we wish him all the best for what will no doubt be a very long and successful management career."

The 41-year-old stopped playing in 2016 after a long career including lengthy spells at Crawley Town, Brentford, Metropolitan Police, Lewes and Eastbourne Borough as well as shorter stays with the likes of Whitehawk, Burgess Hill Town, Horsham and Loxwood.

He is a full-time coach at a college in Brighton with several years` experience of coaching under-19s, as well as working at Brighton & Hove Albion and looking after the Sussex under-18s.