There’s no shortage of vacancies in the Southern Counties East Football League after five managers and an assistant departed in just a few days.

The end of season at steps five and six have seen a flurry of managerial exits with Premier Division side Snodland Town the latest club to announce that their manager, Luke Wallond, was stepping down.

Wallond’s departure follows on from four first division managers leaving their posts in he past few days.

FC Elmstead, Greenways, Tooting Bec and Croydon will all have new managers taking over for the 2024/25 season while Canterbury City are seeking a new assistant boss after Sam Wilson announced his decision to leave the club.

Wallond leaves Snodland after an eighth-placed finish in the Premier Division, in their first season at the higher level, after he had led them to the Division 1 title last season.

Snodland finished this season with a thrilling 5-3 win against Welling Town - coming back from 3-1 down with two late goals to complete the turnaround.

The club said on Monday that they had “mutually agreed to part ways” and added: “We would like to thank Luke and his management team for all their hard work over the past four years, the highlight of which was securing promotion at the end of the 2022/23 season to the SCEFL Premier Division.

“Luke has become friends with many of our club members and supporters and we wish him all the best for the future.”

Greenways’ long-serving manager Rob Jeffery has opted to stand down after the team finished bottom of division one but he’s staying at the club, taking on a new role as co-chairman alongside Les Harpley.

Jeffery’s last match in charge was away at the champions AFC Whyteleafe which ended in an 8-3 defeat.

He issued a statement following his departure from the club, who play out of the K Sports Cobdown venue.

Prior to that final game, he said: “After 14 years at Greenways, the time has come for me to hand over the baton and step down as manager of this great club.

“It has of course been a disappointing season on the pitch and my bruised ego had toyed with me giving one more year to leave on a ‘high’.

“The reality is that wouldn’t be right for me or the club. My wife, young family and career are my priority and I can no longer give Greenways the time, commitment and energy it deserves.

“I am immensely proud of what we have achieved together and truly honoured to have managed this great club.”

Greenways were founded in 1965 and Jeffery is glad to be staying on, adding: “My job now is to put the foundations in place to make sure we’re around for another 60.”

Battling at the other end of the table, Hextable-based side FC Elmstead narrowly missed out on the play-offs, finishing just two points behind Lewisham Borough who grabbed the final spot.

Their manager Peter Nolan has stood down looking for another challenge after making positive steps over the past three seasons.

A club statement said: “Peter was given a three-year project to improve the playing side, each year we saw steady progressions with it culminating this season just missing out on a play-off place and reaching the semi-final of the London Senior Trophy.

“Our thanks to Peter for moving us on a level and introducing some great players to the club. Peter would now like to see new opportunities in non-league and stands down with our blessing.”

Croydon finished eighth in Division 1, eight points off the play-off places, and popular manager Liam Giles has also departed.

He led the club to two cup finals, winning the London Senior Trophy and pushing for a top-five finish.

The club say they are welcoming applications from those interested in the role with a deadline for those expressing an interest on Monday (May 6) at 5pm.

Giles said it was a “hard decision” to quit and issued a message on social media saying: “The time has come for me to step away from my role as manager.

“It truly is a special club and one that will always hold a special place in my heart but I feel the time is right to pursue a new challenge.

“I am immensely proud to have bought silverware back to Croydon Arena for the first time in 15 years.

“I would like to thank the board for their continued support since I came back to the club. Thank you to all of my players, staff and of course the Trams Barmy army.”

Fellow Division 1 side Tooting Bec have seen co-managers Matt Hancock and Gavin Bolger part ways with a mutual agreement.

The club said: “We would like to thanks Matt and Gav for the work and time they put into the club and wish them the best in their future endeavours.”

The pair oversaw the most successful period for the club to date, including reaching the play-offs twice and winning the London Senior Trophy, achieved the club said “through great management and coaching and no budget.”

Canterbury City, meanwhile, were just four points off the Division 1 play-offs as they battled for a place back in the Premier Division after last season’s relegation.

Manager Dan Lawrence is looking for a new assistant after trusted no.2 Sam Wilson decided to step down from the role.

Wilson said: “It’s been a pleasure to work with all the lads across my two spells at the club and a privilege to be able to play a small part in their journeys within the game.

“I’ve immensely enjoyed working alongside DL and I’m sure we will work together again in the future.

“I leave disappointed in the fact we weren’t able to right the wrong from last season (relegation) and bounce straight back up but incredibly proud of the work we have achieved on the pitch with a young squad (average age 22) and proud of the progress we have made behind the scenes that will benefit the club going forward.”

Dan Lawrence thanked Wilson for his hard work and commitment and said: “We may have failed with our season objectives twice but you can look back on your time proudly for what we have achieved.

“So much work done behind the scenes that I’ll be forever grateful for.”