Saltdean United have demoted manager Steve Bean from first team duties to take charge of the reserves this week.

Paul Hubbard, director of football at Hill Park, was immediately placed in temporary charge although discussions are already under way with two experienced men who could take over as a management team.

The Tigers have not won for 23 league or cup games, with their last success coming on April 18, and are currently bottom of County League Division One.

Chief executive Mike Walker said: "We cannot fault Steve for his work and his commitment. The hours he has put in are phenomenal.

"Because we are a limited company the gates have tumbled and the income is down, so we have had to address that."

Meanwhile, chairman Greg Hadfield has also stepped down and discussions are taking place with a potential replacement.

Compounding the club's problems, leading scorer Ian Costello suffered ankle ligament damage during the midweek match against Hassocks and could be sidelined for six weeks.

Round Up
Whitehawk have made a seven-day approach for Burgess Hill's former Saltdean man Dean Venton.

Peacehaven boss Peter Edwards wants his players at Piddinghoe Avenue to get fitter. He said: "I am generally happy. Fitness wise we are not doing things for 90 minutes like I want, but we are slowly improving."

But he added: "I'm always looking for other players to improve the team."

Littlehampton manager Andy Taylor is purring about his attacking partnership of Steve Davis and Jonas Templeman.

He said: "They are lively and cause defences trouble. Steve is only 17 and he is going to get better and stronger. Jonas is just coming back to full fitness and we need to get him back to the form of his first season when he scored 28 goals."

Southwick boss Bob Hitchcock expects to see Darron Gearing back in action soon despite transfer speculation linking him with Peacehaven.

Hitchcock has no knowledge of Gearing's pending departure and claims the player will be available for action soon after taking time off for business commitments.

Chris Brown, who has been working out of the area, is also expected to be available in a fortnight.

HAILSHAM Town are hoping to have Steve March back from injury sooner than expected.

Boss Mark Leaney feared the worst when March left the pitch in agony at Arundel recently, with ankle ligament damage expected. However, March is now hoping to be back in action in a fortnight.

Hailsham, meanwhile, were hoping to sign St Leonards utility man Dave Hennan this week but they have lost Phil Rhodes to Rye United.