ONE of the Sydenhams Premier Division’s longest-serving managers is stepping down at the end of the season.

Bemerton Heath Harlequins boss Ian Chalk has decided his eighth season in sole charge at Western Way will be his last.

Chalk – scorer of 176 goals in 600-plus appearances for Salisbury City – first joined the Harlequins as a player and initially got into management working alongside Steve Slade.

It was in May 2007 that Chalk, by then an established player-coach, became outright boss when Slade moved upstairs as chairman. His appointment coincided with a golden generation of youngsters coming through and, following a modest 12th-placed finish in 2008/09, Bemerton established themselves as Wessex top flight heavyweights.

They came third in 2009/10 before twice finishing runners-up to Poole Town and Winchester City respectively.

Heath have been fifth and seventh in the last two years but have slipped back this term and sit 13th ahead of tomorrow’s visit of title-chasing Moneyfields.

Chairman Slade said: “Chalky’s been a good club servant as a player and manager and it’ll be sad to see him go, but I think he would say it’s time.

“The players we had are not around like they were before. I think he’s fallen out of love with it a bit and his brother’s death has affected him.

“We’ve had a really good relationship with Chalky and he’s been successful here, although not so much recently because there’s a shortage of players in the Salisbury area.

“We’ve had a very good bunch of players over the last eight to ten years who all came through together from the age of ten and Chalky was quite lucky in that respect.

“The hub of our success was a group of local lads that had been at Bemerton a long time, but it’s also been the demise of the club now that some of those players have drifted away.”

Although Chalk still has more than three months left at the helm, the Harlequins have no objection to potential successors making themselves known early by ringing Slade on 07798 732799 or 01722 331925 (club).

“Chalky’s told the players he’s leaving, but he hasn’t told me yet so we haven’t talked about it much as a club,” said Slade.

“I’m happy for Chalky to finish the season but, if it’s amicable, someone could come in and help out beforehand. All options are open.”

Although league honours are out of the question this term, Bemerton are still going strong in the Sydenhams Wessex, Russell Cotes and Salisbury Hospital cups.

They booked their League Cup semi-final berth by beating Division One outfit Ringwood 3-0 on Tuesday - Jack Eves, Scott Joyce and Jack Slade the scorers.

“We’re in the wrong half of the table for the first time in eight years, but it would be nice to get something out of the season by winning a cup,” said Slade.

Bemerton will face either Winchester City or Petersfield Town in the SWL Cup semi-finals, while AFC Portchester have drawn the winners of the Horndean versus Blackfield & Langley tie. The semis will be at neutral venues on a date to be announced.

*Shane Traynor has been handed the permanent manager’s role at Hamworthy United after a fruitful spell in caretaker charge following Stewart Kearn’s departure.