Whittingham and Gurney leave Steyning Town for Lancing Fc

The pair leave Town on good terms and in their best shape for some years after a strong season in Division Two and the club wished the two well managing a club in County League One.

“They have been offered the first team managerial roles at Lancing FC and considered this too good an offer to turn down,” a club statement read.

“Steyning Town recognise this is a fantastic opportunity for Richard and Tom to manage at a higher level and is just reward for the fantastic work they have done at our club over the past few seasons.

“They have had some overseen some excellent results and progress on the field, bringing some pride and professionalism back to the club, and had also have contributed significantly to the development of the club off the field.”

Richard ‘Tricky’ Whittingham is very well respected amongst the County League scene and in his two seasons in charge at Steyning he guided them to a 13th-placed finish in his first season in Division Two and tenth last campaign, while also reaching the semi-finals of the Division 2 Cup.

Whittingham, who played more than 300 games for the Lancers said: “I’ve got mixed feelings about leaving Steyning, they’ve been great to me and I loved my time there, so I’m sad to go, but I’m excited and confident about the challenge awaiting me at Lancing.

“I wouldn’t have left for any other club but Lancing. I played more than 300 games for them and then went on to the coaching staff, so I’ve always got them in my heart and I love the set-up and people there.”

He takes over a Lancing side who were County One runners-up the 2011/12 season but finished 13th this campaign.

Steyning Town are advertising the first team manager and assistant manager and “will be looking for candidates who can attract players to the club, build on our performances of the past few seasons and who can work within the existing coaching framework we have developed,” while working with the club’s young players.