Assistant boss steps up after surprise decision

Matt Hume has decided to hand over the management duties at Rochester United to his assistant boss. Hume had already made the surprise decision to step aside before the midweek match at Rede Court Road against Bridon Ropes, passing on responsibility to Michael Betts. Mack Reilly, Harrison Hume and Jack Nelson gave the hosts a 3-1 win on Tuesday, with Betts in charge for the first time this Saturday at home to Tooting Bec while Hume can now concentrate more on his role as club chairman.

The Spartans’ play-off hopes had faded after a poor run of form, although it’s still mathematically possible that they could finish in the Southern Counties East Division 1 top-five. Hume was going to stand down at the end of the season but has pushed the switch forward to give Betts a headstart ahead of next term and himself extra time to focus on some important off-field matters. Hume said: “I have got to concentrate on what’s happening off the field with things like the new clubhouse, which I want to get moving along quicker.



“I was going to step down at the end of the season anyway, to focus on other things, but this gives Betsy extra time now to take over. He’ll have six games to start building on what we’ve already got and hopefully, we’ll start next season strong. “There is loads I have to do off the pitch, and I need to focus on other things.

Betsy has been my coach and assistant manager for three years and I’m really excited about him taking on the job. I think he’ll be great. “Hopefully he can build on the success that we’ve got going over the last few years.

” SCEFL Division 1 table A new additional clubhouse at Rochester’s Rede Court Road facility will help bring in extra revenue and Hume knows they need to look at all available options to help bring in funds to make the first-team successful. The new build is still at the planning stage, however. Hume said: “We have moved forward a lot in different areas but you only have to look at the financial side of it and what other clubs are putting into their budgets and stuff like that.

“We are considered quite a big club in our division but we’re not financially compared to some others, when you look at the likes of Forest Hill Park and last year Whyteleafe, Larkfield & New Hythe and Snodland Town, throwing money at it. “With Lordswood potentially coming down (from the SCEFL Premier Division) and also potentially Lydd or Snodland again, they are all clubs who have put together big budgets. “I know that we can do a certain amount with what we’ve got but I want to try and build something off the pitch to really push us on in all areas so we can be successful in our league and hopefully when we get promoted we can compete and do well in the next league as well.

“I want to push things on to help us to grow the club in the long term.”.