Exclusive by Joe Harbert

Canterbury City joint-manager Josh Hall has left the club just seven months after being appointed.

The former Sittingbourne coach joined the club back in December to work alongside fellow boss Chris Woollcott, and the two oversaw ten games at the helm of the Salters Lane outfit, winning three and losing five.

Hall departs Canterbury having helped secure them an eight-place finish in SCEFL's Premier Division - an impressive feat considering he joined during one of the most difficult periods in the club's history.

The 27-year-old says that whilst it was a difficult decision to leave, he admits focussing on personal areas of his life are his top priority.

He said: "At the moment with everything that's going on, there's always other work situations and a lot of things contributing so it's simply a bit of everything, especially the effects of coronavirus and being furloughed.

"So instead of not being able to give 100%, it's probably better for me to move away because it will ultimately end up affecting the team.

"I have to focus on what's most important, and that's appreciating I've got a family and a partner at home that needs to be able to see me, as well as other commitments like teaching.

"So it's certainly nothing to do with Canterbury - they didn't want this to happen or force me out, so there's no ill-feeling at all. It was an extremely hard decision, but thankfully Chris can step straight in.

"I just think that in the end sorting so much out at the club has also taken its toll a little bit too, because essentially when we started back in December there was no one at the club really apart from members of the board, and it wasn't a secret that the club was in a bit of a mess.

"But the chairman has said I'm always welcome back which is kind and welcome to hear - I just felt that it was one of those times when you've done so much work it's perhaps time to move on, even after such a short period of time."

Hall, whose side lost just one of their last five games prior to lockdown, believes City will be in good hands with Woollcott moving forward, especially at a club he describes as a 'sleeping giant' of the game.

"Chris will be absolutely fine in ensuring the team plays the way he wants and achieves his expectations of getting them at least in the top six," he added.

"All the boys and everyone at the club is great, and they're in a really good place with all the work we've both done over the last few months, especially the youth with first-team coach Sam Wilson.

"It's a lovely mix of experience and raw talent that Chris and I have brought in with the likes of Alex Smith, for example.

"So it's a shame I have to come away it, because for me the club are a sleeping giant and in a really good place to kick on with the new ground - that will put them in a really strong position to attract players and sponsorships even more."

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