Mitchell Dickenson is the latest player to commit his future to Hythe Town.

The former Gillingham defender has signed a contract to keep him at Reachfields next season.

Dickenson, released by Gills a year ago, showed his class in Bostik South as the Cannons came from 10 points back to miss out on the play-offs on goal-difference.

Hythe boss Sam Denly said: "Dicko's a fantastic player.

"His phone might have been going off a little bit which shows how highly sought-after he is.

"I'm really pleased to secure his services for next season.

"He was excellent this season. He's a young talent coming through and he's one of the best centre-halves in the league.

"He's a Rolls Royce centre-half for me. He breezes through the game and he's a fantastic talent.

"He played at Gillingham for a number of years and I think he's got all the attributes to make it in the game.

"He's only 21 so a couple more years and I'm sure he can develop and play as high as he can."

Dickenson follows Charlie Webster and Ryan Palmer in putting pen to paper for 2018/19.

Denly said: "I'm meeting another player this week and there's a few who have already committed.

"I want to get business done as early as I can.

"I'd have everyone on a contract if I could but it's not as easy as that and the chairman doesn't like to have everyone contracted because it's committed expenditure.

"But getting players like Dicko is certainly a start and it shows we've got serious intent next season.

"Palms and Webbo are done and we want to be challenging next year.

"We're hoping to bring a few more in from outside and this helps those conversations.

"It's really busy at the moment. I'm speaking to a lot of players.

"We're all in the same boat, we want to get players committed as early as we can, which isn't easy.

"I've already got players confirmed as coming down for pre-season and I am spending most of my day on the phone.

"I'm sure every manager is the same. It's a long summer and there will be a lot of change between now and the start of the season."

Hythe will play in the renamed Bostik League South East next season following a major revamp of the non-league pyramid.

The division contains 20 teams - four less than Bostik South did in 2017/18.

Bostik League South East: Ashford United, Cray Wanderers, East Grinstead Town, Faversham Town, Greenwich Borough, Guernsey, Hastings United, Haywards Heath Town, Herne Bay, Horsham, Hythe Town, Phoenix Sports, Ramsgate, Sevenoaks Town, Sittingbourne, Thamesmead Town, Three Bridges, VCD Athletic, Whitstable Town, Whyteleafe.