Richard Styles has left his role as Whitstable manager five months into the job, claiming “there is no longer a united vision going forward” at the club.

Former Tunbridge Wells boss Styles and assistant manager Dan Morrin were appointed in May, with the Oystermen aiming to get promoted from the Southern Counties East Premier Division at the first attempt after Whitstable suffered relegation from Isthmian South East last season.

But they are already some 15 points behind early frontrunners Erith & Belvedere, sitting 10th, and after lengthy discussions following their 1-0 Kent Senior Trophy loss at home to league rivals Stansfeld on Saturday, the departures of Styles and Morrin was announced on Sunday evening. First-team coach Mark Towse is another to have left.

“After lengthy discussions with the chairman [Steve Clayton] over the past 24 hours, Richard Styles and Dan Morrin have decided to resign from their management positions at Whitstable Town with immediate effect,” a club statement read.

“Richard and Dan have both sent their best wishes to the club moving forwards. First-team coach Mark Towse has also left the club this evening.

“The club directors would like to thank Richard, Dan and Mark for all of their hard work and commitment since joining in May.

“We are all disappointed that things did not work out as hoped, but they leave with our best wishes and, hopefully, they will enjoy successful times in football once again in the future.

“The club will now look to appoint a new manager as soon as possible to help us achieve our objectives of gaining promotion back to the Isthmian League, while also helping to develop our young players that are progressing through our strong youth structure and football Academy.

“A further statement will be issued in the coming days.”

On Twitter, Styles wrote: “Tonight, I have handed [in] my resignation at Whitstable Town FC.

“I feel now is the right time to leave after it’s become clear that there is no longer a united vision going forward between myself and other parties at the club.”

Since returning to The Belmont, Whitstable have struggled to get going on their new 3G pitch. They beat Rusthall 3-2 but have lost four league fixtures - and their Trophy tie against Stansfeld - as well.

Just last week, however, Styles had been trying to maintain a positive outlook.

He told KentOnline: "What happened in the past has happened. All we can do is the jobs we have to do.

"This is not an overnight thing. There’s some great people at the club.

"We’re a new set-up and a new team. It’s not all doom and gloom, we are losing some games but we are building."

The club are now looking for their fifth manager inside the past 13 months. Lloyd Blackman - now Tonbridge’s assistant manager - resigned last September while Keith McMahon and Andy Drury have joined, and then left, the club since. Drury is now in charge of Isthmian Premier Margate.

Whitstable’s next game is an away league trip to third-placed Stansfeld this Saturday.