Paul Piggott is back in the management hot-seat at Hollands & Blair.

Blair co-chairman Piggott takes over for the remainder of the season following Darren Blackburn’s resignation.

Blackburn quit Blair on Saturday night after their 3-2 home loss to Deal Town.

Defeat at the weekend, coupled with a win for Blair’s relegation rivals Rusthall, leaves the club sitting second bottom of the Southern Counties East Premier Division table.

It’s the first time this season that Blair have occupied one of the relegation spots.

A statement from the club said: “Darren Blackburn has decided, in the club’s best interest, to step down as first team manager with immediate effect.

“With the club at heart, he feels to ensure the team maintains its position as a SCEFL Premier Division (club) that he should step aside as manager and help the club in other matters.

“The club wishes to wholeheartedly thank Darren for showing an impeccable attitude and enthusiasm throughout his role as manager and want to recognise the 100% effort and commitment shown to the team, staff, supporters and committee in his time and hope, that after a short break from football, that he will be back at the club he has helped over many years.

“For the remainder of the season, co-Chairman and former first team manager Paul Piggott will take over first team duties.

“The next stage is to build a new structure for the 2019-20 season.”

Piggott returned to Blair as co-chairman in November 2017, having had a spell as manager of Chatham Town. He has previously enjoyed success as manager of Blair.

Blackburn hopes his decision gives the club time to get out of trouble.

He said: “I feel that now is the right time to let someone else have the opportunity to give it a go and see if they can get more out of the squad that I have assembled. I have decided to do the honourable thing.

“I have given up a lot for the job and my family have supported me, they have been amazing, it is now time I spent some more time with them before deciding what I do next.

“I wish the club and supporters all the best for the future. I hope my decision can galvanise the players and I have got everything crossed that they can turn things around and get out of the situation that they are in.”

It was Blackburn's first season in management.

He called a meeting with the club's senior committee members on Saturday night following the home loss to Deal and they accepted his resignation.

He said: "I spoke to the players who were left on Saturday night and I was humbled by their response. I expected that they would be pushing me out of the door but that wasn’t the case.

"It is just sad that I couldn’t carry through what I wanted to at the club.

"I will definitely miss it. I am not a quitter but I have had to give up my UEFA B course because of the job and now I have taken this decision.

"I have had to balance work, family and the football and I am a little angry at the way it has turned out.

"It shows the importance of having the right people around you, people with the same philosophy, and it has been a big learning factor. The supporters and the committee have been great and I want to thank them for the opportunity, it had been a dream of mine.

"I can’t thank my wife and kids enough. There have been some difficult weekends in the Blackburn house and I’m now going to spend some time with them, get in the gym again and then see what other opportunities come along."

Read more in this Monday's Medway Messenger newspaper