Faversham Town chairman Gary Smart on the decision to sack Sammy Moore as manager, the search for Moore’s successor and the Lilywhites’ chances of promotion from the Southern Counties East Premier Division

Chairman Gary Smart has been left humbled by the number of applicants for the vacant manager’s position at promotion-chasing Faversham.

The Lilywhites, second in the Southern Counties East Premier Division, say more than 40 applied to replace Sammy Moore, who was sacked as Town’s boss last week.

Faversham are winless in four league fixtures after their weekend 2-2 draw with Tunbridge Wells but have big ambitions, having started playing on a new 3G pitch this season at Salters Lane.

Speaking this morning, Smart said: “I think we had over 40 applicants. It’s very humbling.

“When I first went in, in May 2022, I think the advert went out (for a new manager) and we had a handful of decent candidates. The club were in a different position then.

“Obviously, people have seen the progression of the club from a pitch and ground point of view - and with the players we have brought in.

“I would say definitely 10 applicants made the shortlist very quickly. We’re whittling that down. We have spoken to people already.

“We have got a select committee from the board to go through the process. We believe in the process.

“It’s time-consuming but, hopefully, it will be rewarding.”

Smart is hopeful of having a new boss in the dugout for this Saturday’s trip to Rusthall, albeit it’s not certain everything will have been finalised in time.

He said: “It’s one of those where we want to appoint someone yesterday to get the team back on track.

“It’s got to be the right appointment - not just for today and tomorrow - but for many years to come. The ambition is to move the club forward.

“There’s people still in work (who Faversham wants to speak to). They’re at other clubs and we have approached their clubs to see if we can speak to them.

“If the