Rochester United chairman Matt Hume has taken over as caretaker manager of the team.

The club have sacked boss Phil Miles following a board meeting and Hume - a man with plenty of management experience - will be in charge until they find someone to replace him.

United made the announcement on Sunday, with a club statement saying: “It is with deep regret that after an emergency board meeting, the board have made the decision of dispensing with the services of Phil Miles as first team manager.

“The club would like to thank Phil for all his hard work and dedication since he took the reins from the start of the season, and wish him all the best for the future.

“The chairman, Matt Hume, will take over for the next two to three games until the position is filled.”

The Spartans would have hoped to be challenging for a promotion place and a return to the SCEFL Premier Division - they were third without a defeat in seven before Covid ended the 2020/21 campaign early and fifth in the previous campaign - but find themselves sitting 16th place, just two points above the relegation zone this term.

They have won five of their 15 games and lost 1-0 at home to Tooting Bec last time out although prior to that they had beaten Premier Division Hollands & Blair in the SCEFL Challenge Cup.

Miles, who had previously worked for clubs including Chatham, Ebbsfleet and Faversham, was appointed manager in the summer.