Former Gillingham youngster Ryan Huckle leaves position as Sutton Athletic manager after three games of new Southern Counties East season

A Southern Counties East manager has departed just three games into the new Premier Division season.

Former Gillingham youngster Ryan Huckle has left his position as Sutton Athletic boss by mutual consent.

He steps down after eight months in charge, having succeeded Dan Kelly in January, and is set for an academy role at a Football League club.

Athletic have taken one point from their opening three matches, a 3-3 draw with Whitstable.

“We can confirm that Sutton Athletic FC and Ryan Huckle have mutually agreed to part ways this evening,” said a club statement released on Monday night.

“The club are extremely grateful to Ryan for his hard work and efforts over the last eight months, especially helping the club to keep its SCEFL Premier status last year.

“We wish Ryan well in his next chapter of his coaching career, where he will embark on a journey coaching in an EFL professional academy environment.

“As a club we will be looking to a new chapter, starting with our FA Vase game this Saturday.

“We will begin the process to appoint a new manager to continue moving the club forward in the right direction.”

Sutton visit Midhurst & Easebourne in the FA Vase first qualifying round this weekend.

Huckle came through the academy at Gillingham and counts Dover and Erith & Belvedere among his former clubs.