Derek Hares says his Deal departure after nearly 20 years as first-team manager will leave a big hole in his life.

Hares’ retirement from his role with the Southern Counties East Premier Division club was announced on Sunday, with the club having finished fourth last season.

The 72-year-old took charge of Deal’s first-team way back in 2003 before he resigned 10 years later but, after a stint as chairman, he returned to the hot-seat in 2015.

“It’s a bit raw for everyone at the moment,” he said.

“But I have got great memories and I have made a lot of good friends. It’s going to leave a big hole.

“I feel quite proud but it’s never been about me, really. I just really want the club to survive.

“They’re some times I will never forget. It’s still pretty raw and I’m a bit emotional but I have made the decision.

“Thankfully it is in a good position and, hopefully, it can push on further.”

Hares decided to retire last Friday and didn’t take to the touchline for Deal’s opening pre-season friendly which they lost 6-2 to Charlton under-23s, with recent arrival Riley Alford - on his debut - and Rene Rivera getting their goals.

He revealed: “I didn’t go to the game Saturday, I made the decision Friday night.

“I didn’t think it would be right to do that [take to the touchline before the announcement].

“The easy decision would have been not to leave but I thought that would have been the wrong thing to do.”

When asked how long he had been thinking about making the decision, Hares replied: “Only a few weeks, really.

“We went back for pre-season training and I just thought it was the right time for a change. It’s going to leave a big hole in my life, but I have made the decision.

“Hopefully it’s the right one for the club and the right one for me. But the main thing is it being the right one for the club.

“It’s difficult to put it into words. I just felt the club were in a really strong position and I’ve been around for 20-odd years, and that’s a long time.

“I just felt a change might help the club push on.”

Hares has been described as “a true legend” and the backbone of the club following his retirement.

“The messages I have had from all over have been overwhelming,” Hares added.

“I have been lucky to manage a team that long, it’s been a privilege.

“There’s been times where I wondered if the club would survive but we have got it into a good position now.

“The amount of messages I have had from players, supporters and managers has been amazing.”

Fellow long-serving manager, Folkestone boss Neil Cugley, was among those quick to message Hares.

“I had a lovely message from Cugs, he’s a top man,” he said.

“I have had so many messages and phone calls from people I have not seen for ages. It’s been unbelievable. I just want to thank everyone who’s got in touch.

“I will let this sink in for a couple of weeks and see what happens.”

Hares didn’t rule out taking on a role within the game again - although he will not be doing so straight away.

He said: “You never know, do you? You never say never.

“I still think I have something to offer. If the club can see a role for me, maybe [I will take it on], but we will see.

“It’s my club, really. I cannot see myself doing anything else other than at Deal, but we will have to see what happens.

“But it’s not about me, it’s about the club.”

The Hoops say “the current coaching team will continue pre-season preparations”. Coach Steve King took charge of the team last season when Hares missed games having contracted Covid-19.

Former Deal boss Tommy Sampson, meanwhile, also had words of praise for Hares, saying: “Under his watch, the team has made a fantastic leap from a mid-table team to one that challenged for the top places.

“His legacy is a team that can now bring Isthmian League football to the Charles Sports Ground in the future.”

Last season’s fourth-placed finish was the club’s best league position since they were fourth in the Kent League in 2002/03, while their run to the fifth round of the FA Vase in the 2019/20 campaign was Deal’s best since they won the competition in 2000.

They beat a youthful Gillingham side 3-0 on Tuesday night.

Deal, who visit Lydd on Saturday, host Dover this Tuesday in another pre-season friendly.