By Kevin Redsull

Danny Vaughan’s tenure as head coach of Deal & Betteshanger has come to an end.

Vaughan led the first-team for the last time in last weekend’s 31-21 defeat at Bromley, the Lions’ final game of the season in Kent 1, after being informed by the club they had decided not to renew his contract when it expires in April.

Medway assistant coach Malcolm Graves replaces Vaughan, who is one of Kent rugby’s most experienced coaches and took charge at the Drill Field in July 2019.

The Lions are seventh in the table but they could drop to eighth, depending on how Cranbrook fare in their final match this weekend.

Vaughan said: “I would like to have stayed on for one more season and then let someone else have a go because I believe that, at this level, five years is long enough.

“But the club feel that now is the right time to bring in a new face and that’s fine, and I honestly believe that the team is a better side now than when I first took over.”

Vaughan, whose previous coaching positions include spells with Blackheath, Westcombe Park, Canterbury, Sevenoaks and Dover, added: “I’ve really enjoyed it here, made a lot of friends, and will definitely be coming back to watch some matches.”

Lions president David Donachie said: “Danny has done a great job and he will always be a friend of the club.

“But every coach has a shelf life and we feel we now need someone who is available, not only to coach the 1st XV, but also our other senior and junior teams.”