New management team Paul Hughes and Ritchie Hanlon have been promised a blank canvas as they bid to turn around Hayes & Yeading United's fortunes.

The former Kings Langley duo were appointed last Thursday, with Tristan Lewis moving back upstairs to director of football after taking charge one last time for Saturday's 3-0 Southern Premier defeat at Chippenham Town.

Since then, coaches Delroy Preddie and Paul Barry have both departed, with former United keeper Preddie's exit particularly surprising given he is a much-loved figure at the club.

Lewis said: “It's sad to see them going on to pastures new, especially with Del being a club legend and a personal friend, but the new management team will want to bring their own people in.

Departure: Delroy Preddie (right)

“You want them coming in feeling that it's their club and they have the reigns, and the only thing they will have from us is our support, rather than being told how to do it. Their success elsewhere would suggest they have a fair idea already.

“We're hoping, with them having guided Kings Langley to three successive promotions, that they will bring with them a winning mentality, and that they can breed that here. We want to go into games knowing we can get results again.”

As a player, Hughes made 22 appearances for Glenn Hoddle's Chelsea and also featured for Luton and Southampton, while Hanlon can name Southend, Peterborough, Stevenage, Lincoln and Cambridge amongst his former clubs.

Also gone: Paul Barry

The duo were took charge for the first time for Tuesday night's county cup exit at Harrow Borough, having taken a back seat at Chippenham to assess their new squad.

Lewis added: “The score line did not reflect the game really, but it's a good thing as the new managers probably saw the best and the worst of us. It's been an unsettling time for the players, and hopefully we'll get some stability now.

“We're not in a great place at the moment league-wise, and short terms we need to get some points on the board to make sure we're safe. The mandate we have then set them in a comfortable mid-table finish to build on next year.”