Chatham chairman Jeff Talbot admitted Kevin Watson's departure as Town boss on Saturday night 'was not a surprise.'

Watson parted ways with the Chats in the wake of the 1-1 draw at home to fellow Ryman League Division 1 South strugglers Peacehaven & Telscombe - a result which did end a four-match losing streak but which also made it eight league games without a win for fifth-bottom Town.

Mr Talbot paid tribute to Watson but revealed: "We have been talking about performances for a few weeks. Saturday was not the final straw, but we have been saying since last April that we did not want to be in the same position at Christmas as we were last season, at the wrong end of the table, and things were coming to a point.

"We felt there may be a need to liven things up and change things around and both the club and Kevin might benefit from that."

Chats survived by just two points in Division 1 North last season in their worst campaign since Watson took charge, replacing Paul Foley in May 2011.

Mr Talbot added: "Kevin has been doing his absolute best and always puts 100% in, but he is not seeing the results for his efforts.

"Kevin has done as much as he could, he has to travel a fair way to get to the ground, his parents have come to every game - they have given it all they could.

"He will be a big loss to the club, as a person, and in terms of what he brought to the club on and off the pitch. There are always other roles at the club which he could fill.

"Perhaps we both need a change, but losing Kev would be a big loss to the club."

Town are set to appoint an interim management team from within, with Mr Talbot adding: "We're lucky in a way that we have the ability to manage things in the short-term.

"We have three or four people, in terms of senior players and staff, who we will talk to today (Sunday) and I'm sure we can last a few weeks before making a decision on where we go next."