Steve Bateman has called time on his second three year spell as manager of Southern League Berkhampstead.
The former Aylesbury FC, Chesham and Hemel Hempstead boss, who took the reins again in 2017 as the successor to Tommy Garrett, stood down on Thursday.
Joint manager Lee Bircham, who arrived with Bateman as his number two before stepping up last season, also quit the Comrades.
The duo's departure was confirmed in a brief statement posted on the Southern League Division One Central club's Twitter account.
CLUB STATEMENT – Steve Bateman and Lee Bircham have decided to leave the club with immediate effect. We thank them and wish them both well for the future.
— Berkhamsted FC Official (@BerkoFC) May 21, 2020
The Comrades said: “Steve Bateman and Lee Bircham have decided to leave the club with immediate effect. We thank them and wish them both well for the future.
Berkhamsted-born Bateman, pictured, returned to Broadwater with unfinished business nearly 16 years after leading then Berkhampstead Town to the final of the FA Vase in 2001 and a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Taunton Town at Villa Park.
As a player, the 55-year-old enjoyed an illustrious Non-League career. After kicking off as a youngster with Everton, where he won the FA Youth Cup, he went on to play more than 300 games for Chesham and Slough.
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Images courtesy of The Non-League Paper & @batesy220465/Twitter
