James Collins re-united with former Charlton Athletic and Scunthorpe United striker Paul Hayes as he is appointed Bowers & Pitsea boss after his Faversham Town departure

James Collins has moved on quickly following his Faversham departure.

The Lilywhites announced Collins has left his role as the Isthmian South East club's manager on Tuesday night and he has now been appointed as the new boss of Isthmian Premier Bowers & Pitsea.

The move sees Collins re-united with ex-Faversham, Charlton and Scunthorpe striker Paul Hayes, the new Bowers director of football.

On Collins' appointment, director of football Hayes told the club website: "We are so pleased and excited to have James as our new manager.

"He comes with a wealth of experience as a manager, previously managing Cray Valley, Chatham Town (where he won two cups) and, most recently, Faversham."

Bowers & Pitsea were managed by Rob Small during the 2021/22 season and finished 16th in the table before Small stood down.

Collins will now be starting to plan for life in Isthmian Premier where he will come up against Folkestone, Isthmian South East play-off winners Herne Bay and Margate, who have appointed Andy Drury as their new boss.

The 39-year-old, who was appointed Faversham boss in November 2019, saw Town to a 12th-placed finish despite an injury-hit 2021/22 campaign.

But Faversham are now in turmoil, with chairman Paul Bennett also having stood down last week.

In total, there are three Kent-based Isthmian South East clubs without a manager in Faversham, Swale rivals Sittingbourne and Hythe.