Hythe Town’s season preparations have been boosted by clinching a new main sponsor.

Brand consulting agency Darkhorse have linked up with the Isthmian League side ahead of the 2020/21 season.

Hythe say the sponsorship will ensure the club can invest in players and facilities for the up and coming season, deal with any uncertainties caused by the current Covid crisis, purchase new home and away kits while also continuing to support its local charity partners and youth team development.

The club’s commercial directory John Dowsett said: “Darkhorse’s sponsorship will provide immediate benefits. Enabling the club to finalise the manager’s budget for the upcoming season.

“As well as funding ground improvement work and Covid protection measures, with the additional support of our Patron’s Club.”

Darkhorse founder David Pugh-Jones has now become a director at the club and he said: “This exclusive sponsorship agreement enables us to reach a wider audience across the south east, especially as we continue to ramp up our client marketing services proposition to brands looking to grow their consumer and business footprints.

“It also enables us to support a solid grassroot sports club that also gives back to local charities. I’m looking forward to a successful season for the club both on and off the pitch.”

Darkhorse’s logo will be on the home and away kits. For the 2020/21 season the away kit is changing to white shirts with blue trim, shorts and socks.

Fellow Isthmian League South Easy Division side Sittingbourne, meanwhile, have secured another grant which the club says will make their facility at Woodstock Park safer when football returns.

It is the second grant the club have received from the Football Foundation and follows on from funding also provided by Sport England.

Secretary Peter Pitts said: “We are very grateful to these organisations as without these grants our future would have been very much in doubt.” The club have also secured an interest free loan, for a year, from Barclays Bank.

Cray Valley, who were pushing for promotion in the South East Division in 19/20, have announced the signings of Connor Dymond and Ade Yusuff.

Striker Yusuff joined Dover in December 2019 after a spell at Dulwich Hamlet. He earned a pro deal at Dagenham & Redbridge following a prolific season at Chatham Town and since then he’s played for Folkestone Invicta.

Midfielder Dymond began his career at Crystal Palace and has played for Bromley, Welling and Margate.

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