Hythe Town manager Paul Fisk will welcome Martin Ford back to management when he arrives at Reachfields for Saturday’s Bulmers Cider Kent League Premier Division Cup quarter-final against Slade Green.

Ford, who was formerly in charge of VCD, took charge of Green at the weekend after a break from the game.

Fisk said: "I locked horns with Martin when he was in charge of VCD and it’s fair to say that we had some pretty heated exchanges. But at the final whistle we always shook hands.

"I welcome him back to Kent League football and I’m surprised a manager as good as him has been away from the game so long.

"Football and the Kent League needs characters and Martin is one of them. He has this tremendous passion for the game."

Hythe start the tie as favourites but Fisk is in no doubt that the "Ford Factor" will boost the visitors.

He added: "When a new manager takes charge, you get a positive reaction among the players.

"I have no doubt that Martin will look to change things straight away and all their players will be fired up. That’s something we’ll have to be aware of."

Fisk leads his squad into the tie with a virtual clean bill of health, apart from striker Buster Smissen who is undergoing surgery this week in an attempt to cure a persistent knee problem.

Fisk added: "We’re all keen to get back playing regularly again after a bit of stop-start over Christmas and the New Year."