ANDOVER New Street have sacked manager Dean Hutchins after just five months in charge and replaced him with former Andover Lions boss John Smith.

The club’s directors held a meeting the Saturday before last following New Street’s 4-1 defeat to Ringwood – a result which leaves them rock bottom of the Wessex League Division One.

At the meeting the directors agreed to dismiss Hutchins, who recorded just one competitive victory since taking over as manager in May this year.

On Monday the club announced they had appointed former Andover Lions boss Smith as their new manager, just a month after he quit his previous role claiming he needed “a break” from football.

Andover New Street’s Director of Football, Glenn Butterfield, said: “Unfortunately we had to let Dean go.

“We’ve only won one league game and drawn two and we just felt the time was right to make a change.

“We are now bottom of the league after Saturday’s result and other results went against us.

“We don’t want to be there at the end of the season.”

Mr Butterfield added: “The club would like to put on record their thanks to Dean for all of his hard work in trying to turn things around.

“He always gave 100 per cent.

He did the best job he could have possibly done.”

The former Stockbridge boss got off to the perfect start at New Street, when his side recorded a 3-2 victory over Fleet Spurs on the opening day of their league campaign back in August.

However, it would prove to be his only win at Foxcotte Park, with New Street losing 19 games in all competitions under his management.

His side did manage draws against East Cowes Victoria and Pewsey Vale, but it was not enough to spare him the axe.

Hutchins’ replacement John Smith led his new side out against 19th placed Hythe and Dibden on Saturday.

The game ended in a 1-1 draw.

Speaking about Smith's appointment, Mr Butterfield said: “John was a former New Street player years ago and has always had an affiliation with the club.

“We felt now as the right time to approach him. We are delighted he accepted.

“When we approached him he was completely honest with us and said he wanted a break but he said New Street was in his heart and he couldn’t turn down the opportunity.

“Everywhere he’s been he has been successful so it was a no-brainer for us.”