by Steve Tervet

Justin Luchford has urged The Belmont faithful not to pre-judge him as he prepares to take charge of his first game as Whitstable Town manager.

Appointed as Peter Nott’s successor last week, Luchford watched from the sidelines as his new side beat Croydon Athletic 4-1 on Saturday.

A trip to Chipstead this weekend marks the start of his third managerial role in nine months, having quit Faversham in March before taking over at Horsham in June.

Financial restraints handicapped Luchford (pictured) during his brief stay in West Sussex but it was clashes over his style of play which prompted him to leave Salters Lane.

Guiding the Lilywhites out of the Kent League was not enough to silence the critics and Luchford knows some at Whitstable may harbour their own preconceptions.

He said: "I’ve had bad press about my style of football but some people have only read it on websites and on forums.

"Take me on what I do at Whitstable, don’t take me on the past.

"People only want to see a winning side. If they see draws and losses each week, they don’t come back. It doesn’t matter what football you play, you’ve got to get wins."