Sheppey United Football Club appoint Lee Allen and Kevin Long as joint chairmen to replace Steve Manning

Sheppey United have turned to two familiar faces to lead the club after confirming the appointment of joint chairmen.

Lee Allen and Kevin Long have stepped up following Steve Manning’s departure, having already played important roles behind the scenes at The Ites.

Allen has been involved in several areas of the club over the past six years, including working alongside the first team, currently assisting managers Ian and George Batten as kit man and helping with the day-to-day running of the senior side.

Long is the club's treasurer, overseeing the finances of both the senior and youth sections, and has also helped secure funding for projects including the recent installation of solar panels on the clubhouse roof.

The club say both men will continue in their existing roles alongside their new responsibilities, providing continuity across the organisation.

Allen, who first watched The Ites as a boy in the 1980s, is particularly keen to maintain the club's community identity and build on its long-term future.

He said: "I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working in a number of roles at the club over the last six years, learning and gaining invaluable knowledge from some truly great people along the way. I'm looking forward to bringing those experiences into this new role alongside Kevin.

"Having worked so closely with Kevin already over the last two years, I'm delighted to be stepping into this partnership with him.

"As a boy watching The Ites back in the 1980s, and then witnessing the club fold and be reborn, sustainability and steady growth—alongside reinforcing our community and family club feel—is something I am deeply passionate about continuing to build.

"I’m very happy that with Kevin working alongside me, I can still continue