Max Draper has resigned from the position of Cowes Sports manager following a string of poor results in the Wessex League, bringing to an end his five year stint.

This evening (Thursday, September 12), the committee met with Draper to discuss the current situation around performances.

The decision was made by Draper that he would stand down in his role as a first-team boss.

A Cowes Sports spokesperson said: “We want to thank Max immensely for what he’s done for the club over the last five years, keeping the club alive during very difficult times and putting the club in the position to be able to be positive and take the next step in growth like we’ve done in the last 12-18 months. Thank you, Max.”

It’s been a troubling start for the Yachtsmen in the 2024/25 Wessex League Premier Division season.

Winless, managing just two points in seven games, leaking the most goals and netting the fourth-fewest, Cowes Sports sit bottom on two points from a possible 21.

League performances so far this season:

  • (Draw) 1-1 away at Fareham Town
  • (Draw) 1-1 at home to Hamworthy Recreation
  • (Loss) 7-1 away at Portchester
  • (Loss) 3-0 at home to Hythe and Dibden
  • (Loss) 6-3 at home to Brockenhurst
  • (Loss) 1-0 away at Bournemouth
  • (Loss) 3-0 at home to Andover New Street

In the cups, it has not looked great for the Yachtsmen either.

The first team crashed out of this year’s FA Cup in a 3-1 in a replay at home to Laverstock and Ford, FA Vase in a 5-0 hammering at Bournemouth and the Wessex League Cup in a 3-2 away defeat in New Milton.

In their most recent fixture, however, on Tuesday night (September 10), the Yachtsmen defeated their cross-Medina rivals East Cowes Vics in a tense penalty shootout after a 3-3 full time result, progressing into the third round of the Hampshire Senior Cup.

Draper will likely be remembered for the years of stability at the helm, with the past five seasons seeing the Cowes slowly climb up the table (19th, 17th, 16th, 16th and 11th).

Cowes will also look to retain the IW Senior Gold Cup, having lifted the trophy following a penalty shootout win against Newport in the final back in May.

Ian Potts will take over as temporary manager, working alongside the first team staff, to start the process of improving the Yachtsmen’s situation on the pitch.

In their next match, Cowes welcome fourth-place Baffins Milton Rovers to the Zilch Waste Stadium (formally Westwood Park) on Saturday (September 14).