New Hythe Town manager Tim Dixon is hopeful that some of the players who followed his predecessor Scott Porter out of Reachfields earlier this month will change their minds and play for him next season.

Dixon, the former Ramsgate boss, was appointed as Porter’s successor on Monday night and he now faces the task of building a squad from scratch.

But the 48-year-old wants to open talks with the players who helped Hythe to an eighth-placed finish in Ryman League Division 1 South last season.

Dixon said: "Things were made more difficult by the fact the players upped and left when Scott went.

"There’s a lot of camaraderie in the team itself, which is good in one way, but bad if you’re the new manager and you’re left with no players.

"I’d like to think I’ve got a chance to speak to them individually, to let them know what we’re doing. It was a good squad that Scott had and they did well in the latter part of the season.

"It’s down to the players. I want to be able to talk to them all and let them know my position. It’s going to an interesting couple of days and I’m going to be on the phone for the next 48 hours.

"It’s going to be a busy time for me and I don’t know where the land lies with the last squad.

"I’d like to talk to them, to give them my opinions because they’re all good players. Most managers at Ryman League level would want them in their squad."

Full story in the Folkestone & Hythe Express.

Hythe supporters, volunteers, sponsors and friends have been invited to meet the club's new football chairman and management team at Reachfields Stadium from 7pm on Friday, May 30.

The board is hoping for a good turnout to welcome and meet Trevor Kennett and Tim Dixon as well as Dixon's newly-appointed Management team.

It's also an opportunity for those who have expressed an interest in helping out during the close season, or are interested in the proposed new supporters club, or would just like to get more involved with the club to talk with club officials.

Hythe secretary Martin Giles said: "This is all about keeping our supporters informed about our plans for the coming season. The board have been very busy and now want to bring everyone who supports the club up-to-date because they all form a very important part of the club's future.

"This is not a formal meeting, it’s just a chance to get to know more about your club and the people running it, so please attend if you possibly can."