Ray Turner has described the moment he realised it was time to resign as manager of Faversham Town.

Turner's side were losing at home to local rivals Sittingbourne and heading out of the FA Trophy at the first hurdle.

After more than seven years in charge, Turner looked at his players and knew they needed a new leader.

He said: "My gut feeling was that the time had come.

"I don't tend to make spontaneous decisions but I turned to Clive Walker, 10 minutes into the second half, and said 'that's me finished.'

"For once, he knew that's what I wanted to do and as usual, he supported me. It's been coming and I think my decision is in the best interests of the club.

"It was all done after the game. The chairman knew my mind wasn't for changing and I think the players knew that as well.

"It was my time to go. The players need a new voice.

"You can get comfortable as players and that was showing at times. It was important I was able to step back and see that.

"There was an element of surprise and shock but the players quickly realised it was a considered decision and one I wasn't about to change."

Turner won 45% of his 321 league games in charge of Faversham, leading them to two play-off finals and one semi-final after succeeding Justin Luchford in 2011.

But those statistics only tell half of his Lilywhites story.

Turner said: "The club's been part of me for double the amount of time I've been first-team manager.

"It's quite a unique thing to be part of a club that had to reform.

"To see the side come through County Leagues and to be playing at the level we're at now, to see the youth grow enormously in terms of the support structure underneath the club, it's naturally going to be strange but it was the right decision for the club and that's all that matters.

"The club will always come first. I was honest enough with myself to recognise that I wasn't getting the best out of the group I had and a fresh approach is very much needed.

"My time has come to an end but I'd like to be remembered as getting the club recognised not just at our level but throughout the county.

"It remains a small club but I'd like to think we are now established with a good reputation for what we've done on and off the field.

"The way we behave and conduct ourselves is just as important. Coaches are role models and one of the best pieces of advice Clive gave to me when I first started was 'be yourself.'

"It's important to treat people properly and that respect and loyalty goes both ways. It's the reason many players have stayed with me for a number of years.

"I'd like to think I treat my players as well as they can and in general, they've more than repaid that."

Turner walks away with Faversham 12th in Bostik South East having finished down in 19th last season.

"Last season was difficult," he said. "We had many problems to deal with.

"You naturally look back at your successful seasons but I look back on last year and felt I learned so much. I was constantly solving problems.

"Although it wasn't the league position anyone wanted, there was a certain amount of pride in what we did last year and I feel the club can push on again.

"Finances dictate everything and we couldn't carry on the way we were. The club was starting to struggle financially.

"There's going to be a lot of change in a short period of time but it's very much needed and once it settles down, Faversham will only become stronger and hopefully one day move up the pyramid."