Larkfield & New Hythe name Sian Marie as first-team coach under new joint-managers Fraser Walker and Tony Reid after Micky Phillips resigns a week before new season

A non-league club have broken new ground by appointing a female first-team coach after the manager stepped down a week before the new season.

Micky Phillips has resigned as boss of Southern Counties East Premier Division side Larkfield & New Hythe, due to personal reasons.

Fraser Walker and Tony Reid have succeeded Phillips as joint-managers, while Sian Marie has been named first-team coach in the new set-up.

Marie said: “It’s a pleasure and an honour to be invited back into men’s football and be trusted to coach the players, even better to be part of a progressive club that wants success.

“I’m really looking forward to what we can achieve - there’s a great group of players and the staff have been so welcoming.”

Former Maidstone favourite Phillips succeeded Danny Lye in January and led the Larks to Kent Senior Trophy glory, beating Whitstable 3-2 in the final.

He’d previously served as assistant boss under Lye as Larkfield won promotion from Division 1.

A club statement said: “The board of directors has reluctantly accepted the resignation of Micky Phillips as the first-team manager of Larkfield & New Hythe FC.

“For personal reasons, Micky feels he can’t give the role the time it requires and will spend more time with his family.

“We thank Micky for his efforts and success in the past two seasons, winning us promotion to the SCEFL Premier Division with Danny Lye, and last season winning the Kent Senior Trophy.”

Walker steps up from his role as player-coach to take charge of the Larks alongside Reid, whose CV includes promotion to the Isthmian League with Westfield and spells with Corinthian Casuals, Farnham Town and Walton & Hersham.

“First of all, I want to thank Micky for everything he’s done for the club during his