Howell leaves Nyewood Lane as Bognor Regis Town’s tough season continues

Former player Howell departs Nyewood Lane after a poor run of form from the Rocks that has left them anxiously eyeing the possibility of being dragged into the relegation zone – and it comes following a 3-1 loss at fellow strugglers Kingstonian yesterday.

Despite occupying 12th position in the table, all of the teams below Bognor have games in hand — and that is a hugely concerning factor as the remainder of the season unfolds.

The club's Jack Pearce said: "After conversations with Jamie it has been agreed that we will part company.

"Jamie has done so much for Bognor Regis Town over his many years with us as a player, coach and manager and we would like to thank him enormously for his loyal service and efforts and, of course, we all wish him every success going forward in his career.

“We are in the process of evaluating our options as far as candidates for the role are concerned and hope to be able to bring supporters news of an appointment sooner rather than later.”

In his second spell at the helm, Howell teamed up with Michael Birmingham as joint managers halfway though the 2024-25 season following then boss Robbie Blake's departure. The club were subsequently relegated from the Isthmian premier division.

And the former Arsenal youth player took on sole responsibility in the role when Birmingham stepped away from his position in August.

He oversaw a period where the Rocks played their home games at Chichester City's Oaklands Park before moving back to a revamped and refurbished Nye Camp -- complete with a new 3G pitch -- but results have left the club still unsure of their safety in the Isthmian south central division.

Yesterday, Bognor slumped to a 3-1 defeat against lowly Kingstonian in the Isthmian South Central division at the home of Ashford Town.

Howell was able to bring in attacker Lee Seok-Jae to the starting line-up after a spell injured on the side lines and Cal Laycock was preferred up front to Brandon Chebby, who was on the bench.

The lacklustre visitors struggled to get a foothold in the game from the off -- despite an early effort from Seok-Jae -- and the lack of cohesion and final-third lethargy went on to prove costly.

They fell behind when Sean O’Brien struck on 33 minutes and given their desire and commitment the home side very much deserved to take the lead. But a rasping drive from Laycock against the run of play four minutes later drew Howell’s side level and it remained 1-1 at the break.

Bognor started the second half with renewed purpose and enjoyed decent possession but ultimately failed to cash in on their period of superiority and again it proved to be decisive in the final analysis.

They went 2-1 down on 67 minutes when Stan Flaherty angled his drive beyond Dan Lincoln after a darting run into the danger area and it was clear that Bognor were mortally wounded by the goal.

Lennie Smith, on for Fin Chadwick on the hour, did offer options wide right and saw a couple of efforts thwarted but disappointingly, there appeared to be an air of resignation about the Rocks.

And that soft underbelly was exposed to devastating effect once more when the Ks extended their advantage to make it 3-1 through Flaherty’s 87th minute goal.