Deal Town chairman Dayle Melody insists the time was right for a change of manager at the Charles Ground.

Explaining the reasons behind Derek Hares’ departure last week, Mr Melody said: “It was a very upsetting thing for me to do because everyone knows the high regard in which Del is held at the club.

"Football is a results business and we felt that our results hadn’t been good enough for some time, and also that our disciplinary record was a matter of concern.

“It wasn’t a spur of the moment decision. After we lost to Epsom in the Vase last month we had a board meeting with Del and highlighted that things obviously weren’t good, and Del said then that if the results didn’t improve he would step down.

“We then lost three of our four next games and had two more players sent off. And, when we lost to Cray Valley (in the Kent Senior Trophy on October 5) we had a lower-than-usual gate so the alarm bells were ringing and the board decided it was time for a change.

“But the whole club recognises how much time and effort Del gave as manager and, as far as I’m concerned, the door is open for him to join the board and be my right-hand man as vice-chairman because we need his experience.”

Caretaker manager Albie Barker has been placed in temporary charge and started with a 3-1 win against Greenwich Borough at Dartford on Saturday - Deal's first away victory of the season.

They are at home to Rochester United on Saturday but centre-half Grant Bagley is still suspended and goalkeeper Nick Shaw rated doubtful after having six stitches in a head wound.