Ebbsfleet United sacked former manager Garry Hill on Thursday afternoon with the club languishing at the bottom of the National League table.

The decision came following a frustrating 4-2 home loss to Torquay United on Tuesday night leaving the Fleet six points away from safety after 16 matches.

Hill joined the club in November 2018 following the departure of Daryl McMahon and oversaw huge changes at the club with a drastic financial restructure needed.

With the club in eighth place in the National League when he took over, the finished the 2018-19 season in eight place but Hill and his squad have struggled to stay away from the relegation places this season.

Hill’s assistant Kevin Watson, who was only appointed on October 2nd, will take charge in the club’s next match, a home fixture against Maidenhead United.

With pressure from fans calling for him to leave, the club announced his departure on late Thursday afternoon with the following statement:

“The club wishes to place on record its very great thanks to Garry Hill who has worked tirelessly to improve the team’s situation this season. He was appointed last November and guided the club from 16th to eighth place, while helping oversee the financial restructuring necessary to the club’s long-term future.

We all regret that positive results this season have not been forthcoming and the reluctant decision to seek a new direction has been made with the club’s National League preservation uppermost in our minds.”

The club’s managing Director Dave Archer added ” I worked very closely with Garry over the past year and I know he put his heart and soul into the job he was tasked with. I have come to regard him as a close friend and I wish him all the very best for the future.”

It is not yet clear who are the front runners to take over the job in a full time capacity.