Margate chairman Alistair Bayliss has stepped down from his position with immediate effect.

A statement released by the Bostik Premier club on Tuesday morning said that his decision to quit had been accepted by the club and board with 'a mixture of regret and respect.'

Mr Bayliss first returned to the club in September 2016 following an SOS by the club’s supporters.

He was initially appointed co-chairman before taking on the role as chairman a couple of months later.

The Eastry-based businessman had previously enjoyed a short spell on the Gate board during 2014, but left within a few months unhappy at the direction the club was being led at that time.

On his appointment as chairman Mr Bayliss guided the club through one of their toughest periods, dedicating unlimited amounts of time, resource and energy to help secure the club's future.

This included the appointment of Steve Watt as manager, who alongside his coaching staff of Steve Brown and Mike Sandmann, is building one of the most exciting squads seen at Hartsdown Park.

The New Year's Day derby defeat to Folkestone left the Blues ninth in the table but with games in hand over most of the clubs above them.

Mr Bayliss also drove the construction of a new 3G football pitch to turn the club into a seven-day-a-week venue open to the whole community.

The club's statement went on: "Margate FC would like to thank Alistair for the insurmountable work he has done during his time as chairman, work instigated, led and delivered by him that will ensure the club can become stronger as time goes on.

"The club won’t quite be the same without you, Mr Chairman. We wish you well and thank you, once again."