STEVE KING has left relegated Whitehawk by mutual consent.

Boss King arrived mid-season with the task of trying to save the Hawks from the drop from National League South.

He assembled a new-look squad in his second spell with the club and Hawks finished the campaign among the form sides in the division but were unable to stave off relegation to Bostik premier.

A club statement said: “Following the relegation King has been in discussion with the board, and has mutually agreed to leave Whitehawk with immediate effect.”

Whitehawk under-18 boss Jude Macdonald has been appointed as his successor.

Macdonald has been boss of the Hawks under-18s for the past five years and has guided the club to back-to-back titles.

Macdonald said: “This is a massive opportunity to take over a club like Whitehawk.

“Having been with the club for five years, to be involved with the first team is a huge opportunity and a big challenge lies ahead.

“I’m looking forward to leading the club as it heads in a new direction and am looking forward to getting started.”