10/3/09

Kevin Keehan has resigned this evening as Lewes manager.

Speaking exclusively to The Argus after this evening's match at Rushden & Diamonds, he said "It is the right time for me to go. It is not a decision I have taken lightly but I think it is probably best for Lewes."

Keehan told Managing Director Martin Elliott earlier in the day, but the players were only informed after this evening's match, which ended in a fourteenth consecutive league defeat for the Rooks.

Lewes won only four out of 36 league matches under Keehan's leadership and exited all four cup competitions to lower league opposition. The Rooks are currently 19 points from safety with a goal difference of -52, although relegation would have been likely anyway without the necessary work completed at the Dripping Pan to achieve an 'A' grade ground grading by the end of this month.

Keehan told The Argus, "I have agonised over this. We have known for some while we are probably going to go down but a part of me was saying keep going, stay on and we will develop the youngsters which is what I wanted to do.

"For a club like Lewes I think that is the only way forward. We have gone down the road of paying more than other people and ultimately it doesn't work."

Supporters will be anxious to find out who will be placed in charge of team affairs for Saturday's home game with Kidderminster Harriers, and whether the financial situation at the club affects a longer term appointment at this stage.