Ramsgate have announced the surprise resignation of manager Matt Longhurst - with the club still in the play-offs!

It has emerged in leaked messages, following last weekend's home defeat to Sittingbourne, Longhurst had offered his resignation before later withdrawing that offer.

But in a club statement on Sunday morning, chairman James Lawson said the out-of-form Rams have now decided to part ways with Longhurst after their 4-1 Isthmian South East loss at Cray Valley on Saturday.

"As many are aware, Matt Longhurst informed the club of his decision to resign from the football club last Sunday," a club statement issued by Lawson read.

"After a long period of reflection, the club have decided to accept this offer with Matt exiting from all duties at the club with immediate effect.

"We would like to place on record our thanks to Matt for his part in our rapid expansion to become one of the largest community clubs in the country. We have a brand new 3G surface and hugely upgraded infrastructure.

"The club is proud to have a squad full of extremely talented young players and we currently sit in the play-off positions with four games left, while average home attendances have grown to around 700.

"After achieving rapid growth and becoming such an important institution in our community, now is the time for professionalism and stability.

"We embark on a huge week with over 350 children attending our Easter camps ahead of a home game against fellow play-off contenders Haywards Heath.

"The club have projects in the pipeline that are far more ambitious than anything we have already achieved to date and we will talk to a number of people about the first-team role this week.

"We move forward more united than ever. Come on you Rams."

Longhurst, appointed as the Rams boss in December 2019, signing a two-year full-time contract last April, sit fifth in the table.

They are just a point ahead of Herne Bay after four successive defeats.