Pitchero Non League

Scott Porter

....join his Kent Senior Cup-winning squad.

Porter wants to get things sorted early for next season and he's got two men on his radar to help the club scale new heights. Porter declared he wants "none of the squad to leave" but knows new additions are crucial to help Town continue their rapid rise.

He said: "I've told the players I don't want any of them to go. I want them all involved but I need to strengthen too and I have two people in mind.

"I know where I'm going. One's a striker and the other is a defensive midfielder, both of which will help us become better and better.

"It's down to them if they want to come here but I'm hopeful of putting them both on contracts to join the four boys who've already signed them - Ronnie Dolan, Nick Barnes, Nick Reeves and Taser Hassan have all penned deals.

"This time next week hopefully I'll have signed them, as it's important to get things done early.

"At the end of the season it's a rat race for players and you don't want to miss out.

"I've got a few holidays, players are going away and they all want to get their futures sorted.

"The boys we've got have no reason to leave Hythe Town as we're only going to go from strength to strength."

Porter revealed other clubs have touched base with some of his current squad but he's confident they'll stay loyal. He said: "It's inevitable that if the team are going places other clubs will be interested in your players.

"Some have had offers but they've spoken to me early doors and I'm confident I can keep them. They know my handshake is as good as a contract, so if I say I'm going to sort something, I will."

A draw at Merstham secured an eighth-place finish in Hythe's first season in the Ryman.

Add to that a cup win and it's no surprise that Porter labelled the year `a great one`.

He said: "We had a tough start and took a bit of time to adjust but it's been a magnificent year.

"No-one expected us to win the cup final, so to win that and finish eighth is a great platform.

"Every year we seem to get better and better and all the time we're bringing silverware in there's a lot to be happy about.

"Other than Maidstone United and Folkestone Invicta, who both came down, we finished the highest of the Kent clubs.

"This is a big achievement bearing in mind they've all been in the league a lot longer than us."

Coach Martin Chandler came on with a minute left on Saturday and Porter paid testament to his work in helping Hythe fire.

He said: "He's stepping down because of his family commitments and it was a good way to finish.

"He's a good character to have around, he's worked hard and we'll all be sorry to see him go.

"You don't get anywhere without a big group of people and he's certainly played his part."

Tags: News | Hythe Town

• The Ryman Football League
• Premier Division
  • + Medlock Glad to Re-Unite With Colbran
  • + Reed Aims to Get Back to His Best
  • + Tilson Happy With What He`s Seen
  • + Saker Becomes a Trawlerboy
  • + Banks Reckons He`s Joined Best Team
  • + Gate Shop Refurbished
  • + Bury Look for Conference Level Recruits
• Division One North
  • + Two More for Mead
  • + Two More Join Blues
  • + Tracey Promotes Young Prospect
  • + Four Sign - One Leaves Hawks
• Division One South
  • + Tompkins Brings in Former Team-Mate
  • + Ward Rewards Academy Boys
  • + Maggs Adds Two for Downers
  • + Hinshelwood Set to Debut for Hillians
  • + International Football at Champion Hill
  • + Colbran Left Unimpressed
  • + Halsey More Concerned with Performances
  • + Town Get Bonus When Re-Signing Crabb
  • + Tanners Lose Dean