by Alex Hoad

Faversham boss Ray Turner has admitted the departure of forward Danny Hockton is a blow to his side’s prospects.

The 33-year-old former Millwall, Dover, Margate and Maidstone striker (pictured) has moved to Margate to form part of a three-man caretaker management team installed at Hartsdown Park this week in the wake of boss Chris Kinnear’s departure to take over from Nicky Forster at Dover.

Financial constraints means Turner was forced to release Hockton’s former Maidstone strike partner Adrian Stone earlier this month and Town will be increasingly reliant on under-18s striker Kieran Oliver as they seek to secure a play-off place in Ryman League, Division 1 South this season.

Turner said: "The impact is more that he was playing more of a player-coach role here. After having to release Stoney, I was going to be looking to play Danny a little bit more, so this is a set-back.

"He’s got bags of experience and was great for developing the likes of Kieran and some of the other youngsters."

He added: "I have a lot of time for Danny and we’ve parted on good terms. I understand why he’s gone and wish him well."

No team has played fewer league games than the Lilywhites this season and Turner added: "It does mean that we have got a run of 16-or-so games over the next eight weeks and we’re down to 15 senior players. It’s going to be a real test."

Weather-permitting the Lilywhites will visit basement-boys Three Bridges on Saturday, with a home game against Tooting & Mitcham to follow on Tuesday night.

Do you think Town will miss Hockton's influence? Have your say below.