Hythe Town are gearing up to host Tooting & Mitcham on the first day of a Ryman League season their manager Scott Porter believes will be more open than ever.

Beaten in the 2012/13 play-offs by Kent rivals Faversham, Porter has vowed to go one better and lead Hythe to promotion this time around.

But he believes as many as 10 teams will share that ambition in Division 1 South following the departure of Maidstone and Dulwich – who were clear favourites 12 months ago.

Porter said: “I’ve bettered myself every year as a manager and with Hythe as a club and I’d like to do the same again.

Porter will be without the suspended Craig Thompson in the opening weeks of the season.

He said: “Thommo’s banned for six games so I’m looking to get another striker in on loan. It hasn’t happened yet but I want to bring someone in for a month.”

Starting with three points against Tooting on Saturday could set the tone for Hythe’s season.
Porter said: “We need to be dominant at home. We had one of the best away records last year and if we can put that into our home form, we won’t be far away."

Hythe travel to last season's play-off conquerors Faversham on Tuesday (7.45pm).