Haywards Heath Town manager Saunders steps down - 'It's been a great five years'

Haywards Heath Town manager Shaun Saunders has stepped down as manager after five successful years at the club.
Shaun Saunders. Picture by Grahame LehkyjShaun Saunders. Picture by Grahame Lehkyj
Shaun Saunders. Picture by Grahame Lehkyj

The popular boss todl the club last Sunday that he would be handing over the reins to Lloyd Cotton, who was installed as joint manager just weeks ago.

Saunders has had an incredibly successful five years at the club, winning numerous cup and leading the Blues out of the County League and into the Isthmian League - where in his first season he took them to the play-offs.

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Saunders exclusively told the Mid Sussex Times: "I let the club know last Sunday, we bought Lloyd in as joint to release a bit of pressure on me. To be honest I just need a bit of a breather from it.

"I tried really hard through the summer after lockdown to come out out of that and have worked continuously helping put the sqaud together.

"But it’s just come round a little too quickly for me if I am honest. I just feel after five years at the club I just feel like I need a bit of a break."

But Saunders is not cleaving the club high and dry.

He said: "I plan to help Lloyd in any way I can around the club with messy bits and advice. I am on good terms with the club.

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"It’s not a big split. I am just standing down as manager. It’s decision I made last week, I need a bit of a break."

And Saunders is pleased where he has left the team. He said: "It’s been a massive five years. I came in to the club and they had this five year plan but it seemed a big plan. But we achieved it an more. I leave a good squad of players, a good manager in Lloyd. It’s been a great five years."