Ben Smith admits the foundations of a promising team were already in place when he was appointed Herne Bay manager.

The former Canterbury City boss has set out to complement the club’s existing talent with valuable experience in the transfer market.

He has already made eight new additions to his squad, as well as retaining four others.

• Hythe Town defender Mitchell Dickenson joins Hemel Hempstead Town

Smith said: “There are some clubs that are trying to sign everybody, we aren’t doing that.

“We’ve got a clear plan and strategy of what we want and we’re going to try and stick to that where possible.

“We’ll open the door for any trialists in the local area but we’ve got quite a clear plan with where we want to take the club.

“We want to add some experience to the energy, youthfulness and potential they had in the previous two seasons because they were an exciting side to watch.

“I watched them a number of times. They just lacked that leadership and experience to see them over the line at times. If you look at the signings we’ve made so far that’s what we’re trying to do, add experience in there.

“I think (former Bay managers) John (Embery) and Jermaine (Darlington) did a good job. It was just a case of adding some experience around it.

“If they had decided they wanted to stay they may have done that. They aren’t stupid, they’ve got eyes and have been at a good level of football so I’m sure they would have seen what others were seeing, because on their day they were an excellent side.

“They beat Hythe home and away last season and then they would have games where they would lose heavily.

“It was a real Jekyll and Hyde situation, which I’m sure was frustrating for the management because they can see how good the group of players they had at their disposal were.”

Smith is also intent on strengthening the relationship between the club and its fans on the back of the new consortium takeover.

He added: “The whole vibe around the club is putting the club back in the hands of the supporters and giving them the opportunity to be the driver behind the club as opposed to being driven by an owner or a couple of people.

“It’s important we gauge their ideas and that I set out what my plans are for the team because at the end of the day they’ll be paying the money and travelling all over the place.

“It would be good for them to hear us out in terms of what we are planning to do.

“It has been a turbulent time so it’s important to reassure them and get them excited.”

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