Steve Watt leaves role as boss of Hythe Town with immediate effect after 5-2 Isthmian South East defeat at Beckenham Town

Steve Watt has quit as Hythe manager - except with immediate effect this time!

It was revealed Watt was to step down at the helm of the Isthmian South East Cannons at the end of the season last week.

But the Scotsman has now opted to move on immediately after Hythe’s weekend 5-2 thumping defeat at relegation-threatened Beckenham - which was a sixth straight loss.

Assistant Alex Flisher and player-coach Frannie Collin will now take charge at Reachfields for their final six games of the campaign.

In a club statement on Sunday, the Cannons wrote: “Following yesterday’s capitulation at basement side Beckenham Town, Steve Watt spoke with myself at Eden Park Road, then again later last night and, finally, this morning.

“Steve has decided that it’s in everyone’s best interest if he leaves with immediate effect, expressing his disappointment in the majority of - but not all - the players yesterday and that, coupled with some family issues back home in Scotland, has brought his plans forward.

“All at Hythe Town FC were saddened to learn that Steve was to relinquish his role as first-team manager after a tenure spanning five years and a difficult tenure throughout the pandemic, with this only his second full season.

“Steve has brought together and built a talented team that last season went oh so close and this season reached the last 32 of the FA Trophy. He challenges the status quo in his desire for success but, sadly, this season (given a number of factors) the team has fallen short of those desires and expectations to go one better.

“Overall, he - like us - is rightly proud of the achievements of his management team and players. All have given so much entertainment and created many memories along the way.

“The club has backed