Sittingbourne manager Chris Lynch has resigned after nine straight defeats.

The Brickies were chasing an Isthmian South East play-off spot at the turn of the year.

But their season has unravelled over the past couple of months, not helped by injuries and player departures.

Last night’s 3-0 home defeat by Sevenoaks - their 10th loss in 11 games - was the final straw for Lynch.

Assistant manager Darren Blackburn has agreed to charge at least until the end of the season.

Lynch said: “After a lot of consideration, and with a heavy heart, I have made the decision overnight to step down from my role as manager of this great club with immediate effect.

“Ultimately, it’s a results business. I think we can all agree the last 11 games have not been good enough and something has to change.

“I am the manager and as such I take full responsibility.

“I have shared some great times with you all here and made some fantastic memories which will be with me forever.

“Some people will say Chris you are leaving us at the wrong time or you’re giving up.

"Well, something has to change. I hear it in your voices and I can’t argue with it, results are results.

“I could have gone back in January (after taking a part-time recruitment role at Dover) leaving you in the play-offs. How good would that have looked on my personal CV?

“However, I decided to stay, as I had made a promise to the board, the players and you as fans.

“I don’t regret that decision, we gave it a real go, and you know what, mid-January we were in with a shout of play-offs, which is something this club hasn’t seen in a long time.

“This is the toughest call I have ever had to make in football, because I genuinely care for this club and its people.

“You have my respect and gratitude and will always remain in my thoughts and my heart. I hope you can understand my decision because facts are facts, 10 losses in 11 games, it has to stop.”

Lynch succeeded Aslan Odev in January last year, helping the Brickies clinch safety.

He set out with play-off ambitions this campaign and retained the support of the committee.

A Brickies statement said: “The club would like to place on record our thanks to Chris for his time with the club and are sad that Chris has decided to go.

“We wish him well in the future and feel sure that his dedication and thoroughness will mean that he will succeed in football management sometime in the future.”

In his final interview as Brickies manager, Lynch had called for his players to stand up and be counted.

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