ONE of the Sydenhams Premier Division’s longest serving managers has resigned.

Miles Rutherford, a Moneyfields man for more than 12 years, stood down in the wake of Tuesday’s crushing 5-1 defeat at neighbours AFC Portchester.

Moneyfields finished fourth last season, but have made an uncharacteristically poor start to the 2015/16 campaign.

They are sixth in the table, but have lost six of their opening 12 league fixtures.

Moneyfields have made it clear that Rutherford’s departure was entirely his own decision. They tried to talk him into staying, but he felt it was the right time to go.

Leaving management will free up time for him to watch his son Alfie, a highly-rated former Portsmouth and Moneys frontrunner, now playing for Bognor Regis Town.

Moneyfields have no fixture this weekend but return to action on Tuesday at home to league leaders Salisbury.