New Sittingbourne boss Richard Brady says he is sorry to see his friend and former manager Gary Abbott leave but said he owed it to the club’s youngsters to stay at Bourne Park.

The 28-year-old steps up from Abbott’s assistant to take charge but said: "I am sorry to see him go.

"He’s only done good things since we’ve been here and I am not jumping up and down to have got his job."

He added: "I wish Abbo all the best. I was more than happy to go into the new season as Abbo’s assistant but the chairman and manager have had a disagreement and decided to part ways.

"The chairman runs the club and the club is the most important thing in all of this.

"I told Abbo my priority was to the Academy boys that I have spent the past two or three years coaching – what would happen to them if we both walked out?

"Deren Ibrahim, Jack Pallen, Colin Richmond, Tom Bradbrook and Billy Manners have all come through and we want to keep that going."