Coventry has made his decision public at this time, to enable the club owners and their advisors sufficient time to seek and appoint a new manager and club management team in readiness for the start of the 2020/21 season.

A statement on https://www.eastthurrockunited.co.uk reads: “For the record, we should first confirm that there is no acrimony involved in John leaving. John has stated his willingness to fully co-operate with the owners to ensure a smooth transition to the new management.

“The plan is to now push on and to finish the current season as high in the Isthmian Premier as possible, and ensure John is given the memorable send-off he fully deserves at our final game of the season when we play Corinthian-Casuals at home on Saturday April 25th.

“Invited to become the club manager by our late, and greatly missed patriarch Ben Bennett back in October 2007, and despite suffering relegation by the narrowest of margins in that first part season, John has subsequently led the club the club to what has undoubtedly been the most successful period in our history.

“Amongst the `firsts` achieved under John Coventry's management were our three memorable seasons playing in National South, our first two appearances in the first round proper of the FA Cup, our first ever Essex Senior Cup Final, (followed two years later by winning the final for the first time), not to mention four play-off appearances, which includes a play-off final win. John also managed the Rocks to one league title and two promotions.

“John's achievements become even more impressive when you consider they have been achieved on gates which have seldom crept above the 200 mark. To date John has been in charge of 664 competitive Rocks games, winning 304, drawing 144 and losing 216.

“Only people really close to the very heart of the club truly understand just how much John has contributed to East Thurrock United over his time with us. John's commitment to the club has been total and unwavering. East Thurrock United FC owes an imeasurable debt to John, to his wife Christine, and to his tight knit group of family and close friends who have worked tirelessly to keep the club running during his management”.

Club statement ends.