Chairman Gary Smart has been left humbled by the number of applicants for the vacant manager’s position at promotion-chasing Faversham.

The Lilywhites, second in the Southern Counties East Premier Division, say more than 40 applied to replace Sammy Moore, who was sacked as Town’s boss last Tuesday.

Faversham are winless in four league fixtures after their weekend 2-2 draw with Tunbridge Wells but have big ambitions, having started playing on a new 3G pitch this season at Salters Lane.

Speaking this morning, Smart said: “I think we had over 40 applicants. It’s very humbling.

“When I first went in, in May 2022, I think the advert went out (for a new manager) and we had a handful of decent candidates. The club were in a different position then.

“Obviously, people have seen the progression of the club from a pitch and ground point of view - and with the players we have bought in.

“I would say definitely 10 applicants made the shortlist very quickly. We’re whittling that down. We have spoken to people already.

“We have got a select committee from the board to go through the process. We believe in the process.

“It’s time-consuming but, hopefully, it will be rewarding.”

Smart is hopeful of having a new boss in the dugout for this Saturday’s trip to Rusthall, albeit it’s not certain everything will have been finalised in time.

He said: “It’s one of those where we want to appoint someone yesterday to get the team back on track.

“It’s got to be the right appointment - not just for today and tomorrow - but for many years to come. The ambition is to move the club forward.

“There’s people still in work (who Faversham want to speak to). They’re at other clubs and we have approached their clubs to see if we can speak to them.

“If the new manager comes in and wants to make changes, that’s their prerogative, isn’t it?

“Hopefully, all will be revealed in the next two or three days.”

Moore and his backroom staff came in last term and, after failing to keep the club in Isthmian South East, they looked on track for the title until recent matches.

Smart explained: “Sammy and his family had embedded themselves into the club.

“Sammy gave it his all. He did everything we asked of him. His passion and desire were never in question.

“It was just results on the pitch (were not good enough). We felt, with a good 17 (league) games to go, we’re in a good position - just not the position we wanted to be in.

“Sammy’s last three games, we got two points out of nine. We had targeted five so we felt, as a board, it was time to make the decision.”

The Lilywhites are a point behind new leaders Glebe while third-placed Corinthian and Deal, in fourth, have matches in hand on those above them.

“It’s a bit of a false league table with the likes of Corinthian - definitely Deal - and even Lydd having games in hand,” Smart noted. “Lydd could come charging up.

“Saturday was damage limitation for us, with Deal drawing and Whitstable drawing, but Glebe won.

“The table is juggling around. By the end of February, hopefully, it will even itself out.

“But I think it is Deal’s to lose. Deal are a good team.

“They played very well when they came to us (winning 4-2 on December 30). They’re an old-fashioned club - like Faversham. They definitely did a job on us in the second half.

“But there’s a long way to go and this month is a big month because we have got Glebe and Deal away.

“Hopefully, we can get the new manager in and can finish in the top three at least.”

Even if Faversham aren’t able to be crowned as champions, they could still earn promotion with a four-team play-off system introduced in the division this term.

Smart said: “The system has changed from last year. The play-offs are internal, rather than playing a team (from) the next level up.

“It’s just about momentum when you get to the last 10 games of the season. There’s always a juggernaut that comes through and finishes strongly.

“We’re hoping that it will be Faversham.”

Stefan Payne, the division’s top scorer, gave the Lilywhites the lead early on against Tunbridge Wells in front of a crowd of 336.

But the visitors rallied in the second period before a late leveller by captain Connor Essam earned them a point before substitute Warren Mfula and Essam came close to bagging winning goals.

Smart reflected: “First half, we played some great football.

“We played well - and could have gone in further in front, two or three up.

“But we came out in the second half and there was a 25-minute spell where we floundered a little bit and they got two goals. But I was encouraged by the last 15 minutes.

“We nearly won it at the end. Warren had a shot saved and Essam had a last-gasp header that went just wide. The players - especially captain Connor - dug in.

“They showed passion and that they want to play for Faversham Town.”

Experienced defender Matt Newman, who works with Smart in his day job, has taken temporary charge of the side alongside former joint-manager Phil Miles in the meantime.

“He was thrown in on Tuesday morning last week,” the chairman revealed. “Because I work closely with him on a professional level, I knew I could give him the time needed to prepare.

“Matt has been assisted by Phil Miles, who is an experienced manager himself. Matt took training last Tuesday and the game on Saturday.

“He will help get the team ready for Saturday.”

Moore and No.2 Beale had taken up full-time roles with Faversham from the beginning of this campaign, working with the new Academy.

Smart said: “The football Academy is run by Sports Connect. Sports Connect does the education side.

“They brought the coaches in for the football side and we put Sammy and Darren in to support that. They have left the club so Sports Connect are caretaking that, really, for us.

“We have got to get on with it because we have a new intake to sort for next year.”

Faversham visit promotion rivals Corinthian in the Quarter-Finals of the Challenge Cup next Tuesday.