Winger Kieron Campbell has left manager-less Herne Bay, the club have confirmed.

Campbell didn’t feature in Tuesday’s squad at Ramsgate, as they were knocked out of the Kent Senior Cup on penalties after a 1-1 draw, or in the squad for Saturday’s 4-1 Isthmian Premier loss at Horsham, with his departure being announced after their latest defeat.

A club statement read: “We can confirm that forward Kieron Campbell has departed the MBS Stadium.

“Kieron’s name will go down in the history books as a legend of Herne Bay Football Club, having played a starring role in our promotion to the Isthmian League Premier Division for the very first time in our history.

“Formerly of Whitstable Town, Faversham Town, Fisher and Hythe Town, Kieron signed for the Bay in the summer of 2019, making 35 appearances and scoring four goals in a season which was eventually curtailed by the global pandemic.

“From there, the pacey attacker made another 70 appearances for the club, scoring a further 15 goals.”

He netted the opening goal in their 2-0 Isthmian South East play-off final victory last season at Ashford. He had five goals to his name this term, the most recent of which came in a 3-2 loss at home to Carshalton.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank KC for everything he has done in a Herne Bay shirt and wish him the very best for the next chapter of his footballing career,” the club statement added.

“There will always be a home for you at the Bay!”

Campbell said: "Firstly, I would like to thank Ben [Smith, former manager] and [Stuart] Fitchie [chairman] for bringing me on board in 2019 and trusting me to be a part of the process - the process which some people would have deemed to be impossible in such a short space of time.

"Secondly, I would like to thank the best fans in the league for their continued support, home and away. I can honestly say I have never played for a fanbase like it.

"The fans alone have made this decision all the more difficult. Over the last three years, we have created memories I will never forget - from the bottom of the league to promotion.

"From being stuck in Guernsey to celebrating in Ibiza!

"Lastly, I would like to thank my boy Aaron [Smith, first-team kit manager] for everything he does for the club - [a] real legend.

"Thank you to everyone involved in Herne Bay. It's been a great journey, KC."

At Horsham, Kymani Thomas struck for Bay, who are now bottom.

They start a run of four successive home fixtures - and nine out of the next 12 games presently scheduled in all competitions overall on their new 3G pitch at Winch's Field - at home to Isthmian South East Sevenoaks on Tuesday in the Velocity Cup.