Steve Watt has returned as Hythe manager - six months after leaving the club.

Watt accepted the job after holding talks with the board last night, and has invited former Sittingbourne boss Darren Blackburn to join his management team.

The Cannons were in the market for a new manager after player-boss James Rogers, who succeeded Watt last November, stood down after preserving their Isthmian South East status.

Money remains limited at Reachfields but, in Watt, the club feel they have the perfect man to attract players.

“It’s excellent news getting Watty back,” said secretary Martin Giles.

“The best way we can compete with some of the budgets in this league is to get guys in who players want to play for.

“Watty always had a squad who would play for him for more reasonable fees than others could grab elsewhere.

“Players are grabbing money all over Kent at the moment and Watty is the antidote to that.

“We can’t compete financially with other clubs and we aren’t going to get the best players unless they are prepared to play for less money, and that’s what Watty brings.

“He loves the club and we’ve stayed in touch ever since he left.

“I’ve spoken to him most weeks and he’s always stayed in touch with Rodgo.”

Blackburn joins Watt at Hythe a fortnight after leaving Sittingbourne.

The pair are good friends and Hythe welcome his involvement.

“Darren’s a guy we would happily have appointed as manager, so it’s almost two managers for the price of one,” added Giles.

“It’s two lots of player connections, two lots of players who will play for them rather than for money and two lots of expertise.

“It isn’t long since Watty left and there’s a lot of players still at the club from when he was here.

“A lot of the young players we’re keen to hang on to are players he brought here in the first place.

“He’ll have to make his own decisions but we’re confident we’ve got a good guy who cares about the club and in two or three lengthy conversations with Darren, I’ve got to know him very well.”

As well as appointing Blackburn, Watt is expected to add to his management team.