LYDNEY Town AFC have parted company with manager Lee Smith in what the club have described as “one of the harder” decisions they have had to make.

The club confirmed the news in a statement on Friday March 20, ending Smith’s spell after just over a year in charge.

Smith joined Lydney in November 2024 with the club facing a difficult situation, but helped guide them away from relegation danger and secure their place in the Hellenic League Premier Division for another season.

However, results this campaign have struggled to match that turnaround. Town currently sit bottom of the table on 24 points, six adrift of safety, having won just six league games all season.

In a statement, the club said: “It is with regret that we announce that we have parted ways with manager Lee Smith.

“Lee joined Lydney in November 2024, with the season looking bleak. His enthusiasm, dedication and work ethic became addictive as he steered the club away from relegation and into another season.

“Sadly this year has not gone to plan, and the club have made the incredibly difficult decision to part ways.”

The decision follows a damaging run of results, including back-to-back defeats against relegation rivals Cribbs FC.

Lydney were beaten 3-0 at Sansom Park before suffering a heavy 5-0 loss away, leaving them rooted to the foot of the table.

Assistant staff Sean McKeon and Warren Evans have also left the club.

First-team duties will now be taken on by Richard Goodwin and Jordi Sheen, assisted by former manager James Morse and club stalwart Ross Lindsay.

With only a handful of games remaining, Lydney face a difficult task to avoid relegation, needing to close a six-point gap in the final weeks of the season.