Midfielder Brad Schafer has returned to Hythe as the Cannons prepare to start pre-season training.

Hythe twice missed out on bringing Schafer back to Reachfields last season but they’ve got their man this time.

His previous spell at the club came in the 2021/22 season, signing shortly before a budget cut led to Steve Watt’s departure.

Watt would return six months later, memorably leading Hythe to the Isthmian South East play-off final.

“We’ve got Brad back,” said boss Watt. “I tried to get him back before last season started, before he joined Faversham, and again when he left Faversham but he ended up going to Sheppey.

“I’ve known and coached Brad since he was a kid.

“He’s a player I know really well and he knows me really well.

“He’s won promotion from this league and he’s always done well, wherever he’s been. It was disappointing when I signed him originally that I had to leave soon after, so it’s good to have him back.

“Maybe he thought Faversham and Sheppey were better options at the time last season, maybe it was financial, I’m not too sure.

“It’ll be one of those two reasons why we missed out on him but we’ve got him over the line now and he gives us good options.

“He’s got goals in him as well. He scored some important goals for Sheppey.

“You could tell as a kid he was going to be a good player.

“It was whether he would fill out and get stronger, which he has done.

“He’s another good addition. The squad is taking shape nicely.”

Hythe hold their opening training session on Saturday, eight weeks on from their play-off final defeat at Whitehawk.

Time has flown but the Cannons are ready to go again.

Watt said: “We were going to be in last week but we start a week later this season, so we gave the players an extra week off.

“Pre-season always comes round quickly. You’re back in before you know it.

“The off-season is meant to be downtime but it’s not for managers.

“If anything, it’s one of the busiest times.

“You’re trying to bring players in and improve the squad.

“You can’t just put your feet up for six or seven weeks, you’ve got to keep looking at things.

“Looking at the squad, we’re in a better position than we were this time last year.

“The players have had a year to work with us and understand how we do things and we’ve made good additions in Adam Molloy, Taylor Fisher, Aaron Barnes and now Brad.”