James Rogers has turned down the chance to continue as Hythe manager.

Rogers informed club secretary Martin Giles of his decision at a meeting and will instead look to continue his playing career elsewhere.

The midfielder stepped into his first managerial role last November, succeeding Steve Watt.

He preserved the Cannons' Isthmian South East status in trying circumstances, with the club losing players after an enforced budget cut, and also reached the Kent Senior Cup semi-finals.

Hythe made him an offer to stay on but Rogers, 37, has decided to concentrate on playing.

"I haven't got time for management at the moment but I will be playing next year," he said.

"Personally, I had a good finish to the season, I'm feeling as fit as I've ever felt and I'm going to work through the summer to get myself in even better shape because I've got the bug for playing back.

"I'm not going to go chasing a club, I'll see what comes up.

"I've enjoyed managing as well, and I appreciate Hythe giving me the opportunity to have a go at it.

"I know they were happy with the job we did and we were happy with them.

"There's great people at that club and I'm sure they'll push forward in the future.

"They've done well for me and I've done well for them. I had a good chat with the club and they completely understand my reasons for not doing it.

"At the moment, personal circumstances in my life don't allow me to actually focus on putting a team together in pre-season and being able to give it 100%.

"They agreed with what I was saying and we parted on good terms."

Rogers' assistant manager, Tom Wynter, has also left Reachfields but, given his troublesome knee, is unlikely to play on.

They could team up in the dugout again one day, though.

"I had a long discussion with Wynts," added Rogers. "He was struggling to do next year but he was going to do it for me.

"I've said I'm going to carry on playing but maybe if a job comes up in a couple of years I'll have a look at it and I'll want Wynts with me.

"He's one of my best pals, as everyone knows, me and him are really tight.

"If I were to do something down the line it would have to involve him."

Hythe are closing in on appointing a successor for Rogers.

Giles said: “James made us aware that he needs to devote more time to matters outside of football, which will make managing difficult, and we completely understand.

“We are talking to two prime candidates and hope to make an appointment this week.

“Once that appointment has been made we fully expect the new manager to be in touch with all the present squad.

“James kept a very good squad together, despite the enforced budget cut, and they’re a tight-knit bunch, which is something money can’t buy.

“We have a lot of young players who have done well for the football club.”