Gravesend Rugby Club have sacked head coach Matt Williams.

The former Harlequins player said he was asked to resign at the end of January, refused, and subsequently had his contract terminated.

He left the club before Saturday’s game at Havant, which the Gs won 31-3 to move top of London 1 South.

Williams arrived in the summer with the plan of getting the club promoted twice in three seasons.

Gravesend won 15 of their 17 league games under Williams and they boast the best attacking and defensive records in the division. But despite those statistics, Gravesend decided it was time for change.

Williams said: "My reaction was shock. I must be the first coach in history of rugby to be asked to resign from a club that’s top of the league. I had no reason to resign. It’s a sad end to what was an exciting season."

The club were unavailable for comment.