Rumours had abounded that the Rooks manager had been relieved of his duties just a day before the Dripping Pan outfit was due to receive the Blue Square South championship trophy after the game against Weston-super-Mare.

The rumours even reached the BBC Sport website where, on their '606' forum, under the headline "Misery' for Lewes boss King?" it read, "According to news rumours filtering in this afternoon.

"Stephen King, (LEWES) the Conference South Champions manager, has been sacked by a consortium, this after the Rooks had just won the title.

"King was, of course, out of contract and was desperate to manage at Conference Premiership level."

The senior club source at the Dripping Pan said. "We can neither confirm or deny the rumours."

The source refused to comment further.

King today told Express Sport, "I can confirm that I HAVEN'T been fired and that I will be at the game as Lewes FC manager against Weston-super-Mare tomorrow."