Boss Steve King leaves National League South side Whitehawk

WHITEHAWK have announced they have parted company with manager Steve King “by mutual consent” after a recent run of poor form.

The Hawks lost 2-1 against Eastbourne Borough last night meaning King’s men had picked up just nine points from the last 36 available.

Despite the poor run, the Hawks were still only nine points adrift of the play-offs with games in hand but the club said in a statement that both parties agreed recent results were “unacceptable”.

Former Lewes, Northwich Victoria, Farnborough and Macclesfield boss King joined Whitehawk in February 2014, keeping the club in the Conference South at the end of that season.

Last term he led the Hawks to a fourth-placed finish but they fell at the last hurdle, losing to Boreham Wood in the play-off final.

While their current league form may not be what the club wanted, King did take his side to the FA Cup second round where they were knocked out by Dagenham & Redbridge after a televised replay.

Club president Chris Gargan has said the decision taken today was one taken with a heavy heart and added: “It’s a results business and, with nine points from the last 12 games, league results have not been commensurate with the level of investment the board have put in.”

A club statement added: “We give our thanks to Steve, who was appointed manager in 2014, for all he has done for the club in that period of time, including avoiding relegation in our first ever season in the Conference South, reaching the play-off final last season and also for our run in this season’s FA Cup, which saw us take League Two side Dagenham & Redbridge to a second round replay at home on live TV.

“Assistant manager Pablo Asensio will take over running of the first team until further notice and his first game will be this Saturday at home to Havant & Waterlooville.”