Hythe Town Part Company with Manager Ira Jackson

Hythe Town have parted company with manager Ira Jackson Jr after just six months in charge at Reachfields.

Jackson, appointed in May at the age of 28, became the youngest boss in the Southern Counties East Premier Division and was tasked with rebuilding the club following relegation from the Isthmian League under new chairman Andy Nanda.

The former Folkestone Invicta and Grimsby Town forward made a strong start to life in management, collecting seven points from his opening three matches to briefly send Hythe to the top of the table.

However, form quickly dipped, with the Cannons losing 11 of their next 12 league games to slide into the bottom two. Saturday’s FA Vase exit — a 4-3 defeat on penalties at home to Burnham after a 1-1 draw — proved to be Jackson’s final match in charge.

Ironically, while Hythe were in Vase action, they climbed out of the relegation zone on goal difference after Hollands & Blair suffered a heavy defeat at Larkfield & New Hythe.

A club statement confirmed:

“We can confirm this evening we have parted company with Ira Jackson Jr as first-team manager after a disappointing run of results.
We, as a club, wish to thank Ira for his enormous efforts over the last three months and wish him every success for the future.”

Jackson, who threw himself into his first managerial role, admitted results hadn’t matched his ambitions but departs with no hard feelings.

“Thank you to Hythe Town for the opportunity but it’s a results business and that’s something we weren’t getting enough of,” he said.
“Wish the chairman and the club nothing but the best in the future. Time for a needed break from the game.”

Hythe are expected to begin their search for a new manager immediately as they look to climb away from the danger zone in the Premier Division.