Hythe boss Steve Watt sees an opportunity to help former Gillingham youngster Ethan Smith fulfil his potential.

The teenager spent time at Sittingbourne and Faversham towards the end of last season, with his departure from the Gills, following a two-year scholarship, confirmed in May.

At 18, the midfielder has a long career in front of him and Watt intends to set him on the right path after he joined his older brother, Cannons skipper Liam Smith, at Reachfields.

“Ethan’s a young kid coming out of the pro game and it can be difficult adjusting to non-league football in terms of finding a job and juggling football on top of it,” said Watt.

“I’ve known Ethan since he was 10 or 11, before he went to Gillingham, and I’ve known the family for a while, so it was a no-brainer to get him in.

“I knew what he could bring. He’s been playing a different role and is really excelling at it.

“You get young players who come out of the pro game and they get promised the world.

“I haven’t promised him anything. It’s a case of come and play well and see what happens.

“He needs to learn the game and get a good lot of games under his belt and make a name for himself.

“Players can get badly advised, they get told to go on trial here, there and everywhere and they either don’t get anything and end up dropping back down or they get something but up end up being a bit-part player and missing out on their development in terms of game time.

“He’s shown maturity in deciding to come here and he’s put his trust in me to help develop and educate him.

“He’s a kid who needs nurturing but he’s got everything to progress and hopefully we can help him with that.”

Smith has perhaps been a victim of his versatility in his youth career, and that may explain why the Gills let him go.

“The thing with Ethan is he can play every position under the sun,” said Watt.

“Put him anywhere and he’ll do a good job for the team but you can end up being a jack of all trades, master of none, and you never get to really learn a position.

“Maybe that’s the case with Ethan, I don’t know, but we brought him in with a certain position in mind and that’s the only position he’s played for me in the friendlies.

“We’re teaching him that position, and he’s got a great attitude and willingness to learn.

“He’s going to have downtimes, times when we might have to take him out - that’s what happens with young players - but he’s learning his trade and I’m glad he chose us.”

The Cannons have home friendlies against Tunbridge Wells on Saturday (3pm) and Folkestone on Tuesday (7.45pm).