Steve Ogier and his coaching team will take charge of Guernsey United

Guernsey manager Steve Ogier has quit his job as senior island manager to take over Guernsey United.

Ogier's assistant Tony Vance and physio Mike Thomas have also resigned to take up similar roles with the new team, which is set to play in Kent from 2009.

In a statement Ogier described the plans for a side in the Kent Premier League as "a new and exciting venture in football".

Ogier has been in charge of the island side since 2003.

He took over after the Island Games that year following Phil Corbet's resignation.

Tony, Mike and myself are no different to many of the players in that we wish to coach and play at a higher level of football and are excited to be given the opportunity to do so New Guernsey United manager Steve Ogier

He did take the island side to the semi-finals of the Football Association's National League Systems Cup in 2006.

"I would like to thank the GFA board members and staff both past and present for their help and support over the past five seasons," he said.

"Tony, Mike and myself are no different to many of the players in that we wish to coach and play at a higher level of football and are excited to be given the opportunity to do so," he added.

It remains to be seen how the new side will impact on football in Guernsey.

BBC Guernsey understands that a number of clubs in the island are concerned that they could lose their best players to a new side that plays outside of the island.

606: DEBATE What do you think of the Guernsey Utd plan?

Guernsey FA commercial manager James Blower has quit his role with the governing body to concentrate on the new side.

Blower tended his resignation some time ago, but the news was kept quiet in the hope that a successor could be found and a seamless transition between the two be made.