STEVE Pitt hopes to make a quick return to non-league football after stepping down from his role at Heybridge Swifts.

The highly-experienced former Wivenhoe Town, Stanway Rovers and FC Clacton manager had been director of football at Scraley Road and played a key role in helping the club retain their Ryman League status.

Swifts managed to avoid relegation by winning on the final day of the division north season.

Pitt said his stay at the club was always going to be short-term - but he has already expressed a desire to get back into the game soon.

"There are a couple of things that have arisen since my departure but nothing I'm committed to yet," he said.

"However, it's not my intention to stay out of the game long.

"When the right opportunity presents itself, I'd let to get back in.

"I certainly wouldn't be averse to going back into management and I'm as enthusiastic as ever about my football career.

"It's a very satisfying outlet for me but it would have to be the right club, the right role and the right level."

Pitt admits last season was a challenging one for everyone at Heybridge.

Manager Jody Brown and Pitt took over in the autumn - and five weeks later the club's playing budget was slashed.

However, Pitt said it was hugely satisfying to help keep the club up, in addition to reaching the Essex Senior Cup final and winning the Tolleshunt D'Arcy Memorial Cup.

"Jody and myself had unfinished business, after our short-lived spell at (Vanarama National League side) Welling United together," he said.

"We said we'd hook up again and when the opportunity came along, we took up the challenge at Heybridge.

"It was always going to be a tough task - and that was before having our budget cut just five weeks in.

"There were a lot of ups and downs but we were both of the opinion that come what may, we'd get it right.

"We got the job done and to reach a couple of cup finals - winning one of them - was a bonus.

"I was pleased with the players I was able to bring in, particularly players from a higher level.

"There was never going to be any longevity to it from my point of view though.

"The goal was to preserve the club's status and finishing fifth from bottom was satisfying, but I always knew it was always going to be a short-term arrangement."

Pitt hopes Swifts can push on from their narrow escape on the final day of the season, when they stayed up by beating Phoenix Sports.

"Credit to Jody," said the former assistant manager at National League South Bishop's Stortford and National League Welling United.

"He's a good man and he deserves to now be backed by the football club, as do my colleagues Paul Abrahams and Danny Clare, who were a huge part of achieving our aims and objectives over the course of the season.

"He certainly should be, because the club was in disarray, rock bottom of the table - when he took over.

"Hopefully the club can build and push on from our survival last season."

Pitt's departure was confirmed on Friday night and Brown tweeted: "Steve came in to help me achieve certain goals and we succeeded."