CHATHAM reserve team manager Lee Crowe says he is “gutted” about being sacked by the club after the resignation of first team boss Steve Hearn. Crowe had spent four years at the club, including the last season running the second team, but was told he was being released by new first team boss Peter Coupland.

Crowe said: “We had quite a successful season, and won the Kent Intermediate Trophy, as well as bringing players through for the first team. Peter Coupland told me I was being sacked, but it was a committee decision."

Club vice-chairman Barry Adams said: “We couldn't fault his results but he needed to work more on other parts of the job, such as attending club functions.

He needed to be more of an ambassador.”

Crowe said: “If they felt that, one of the committee should have spoken to me during the season, but to have no pre-warning seems strange.”