John Embery has spoken after the departures of he and Jermaine Darlington from their managerial roles at Faversham were announced on Monday night.

Joint-bosses Embery and Darlington came in to replace James Collins in June ahead of the 2022/23 season.

They enjoyed an element of FA Trophy success, reaching the Third Qualifying Round before they lost on penalties to Grays Athletic after a goalless draw.

But with Town still second-bottom in Isthmian South East after their 3-1 home defeat to Lancing on Saturday, their departure was confirmed.

Embery, who bemoaned the club’s luck with injuries, said: “I just felt we could have been given more time.

“I think the team was starting to gel. But we had a poor first half on Saturday and the board made a decision.

“I wish them all the best, there’s really good people at the club. I think they should have had a chat with us first but that’s our opinion.

“It’s football. Me and Jermaine were professional footballers and we have been released by clubs. We had a good side there, we just couldn’t get a run going.

“We had lots of injuries and other issues to deal with - there was always something.

“Sometimes, to be good managers, you have to be lucky managers. But we had no luck with injuries and players being unavailable.

“I felt we could have been given more time but that’s just our opinion.

“As soon as we got injuries, we were trying to plug holes.”

Town’s loss at home to fellow strugglers Lancing was a big blow. The Lilywhites were 3-0 down after 50 minutes and, despite pulling a goal back through defender Danny Rumbol, it was not enough.

Embery said: “We played really well, second half. But the first half wasn’t acceptable.

“I said to the boys the first half was sackable and, if you think it’s good enough, you are hanging me and Jermaine out to dry!

“On Saturday, after conceding a goal straight away in the second half [having been 2-0 down at the break], we battered them and we missed a lot of good chances.

"And the Saturday before, we played well against a top team in Isthmian North [Grays]."

Faversham have four points from eight games but their last three away trips have seen them beat FC Romania in the FA Trophy, draw 1-1 at Chichester and bow out of the FA Trophy at Grays on penalties after a draw.

“To be fair, listen, we are on four points, the same as Sevenoaks but they are one of the best sides in the league,” Embery noted.

“If you win two games, you fly up the table. We have come away from three away games, drawing with Chichester in the league and drawing with Grays who are top-end of Isthmian North. So to have two draws and a win from our last three away games, that’s not bad.

“I know we got beaten on penalties in the Trophy but they are always a bit in the lap of the Gods. If they had pulled us in and said ‘You have two games to get it right’, I think that’s fair enough.

“But it is what it is and, at the end of the day, football is a results-driven business, we’re not stupid.”

Embery now plans to take stock before deciding on his next move.

“I have not thought about it to be fair,” he said. “I think we just need a bit of time to process things and we will take it from there.

“I have never been desperate to manage. I like doing it but it’s not the be-all-and-end-all for either of us.

“So I don’t really have any real thoughts on that. Let’s take a bit of time and go from there.”

Faversham’s next league match is at Burgess Hill this Saturday while they visit leaders Ramsgate tomorrow (Wednesday) night in the Velocity Trophy.