Chatham’s survival bid was already over before their hammering at Hythe, and plans for a rejuvenation of the club are already well in motion.

Outgoing chairman Jeff Talbot will hand the reins to Kevin Hake on Monday and he believes the future of the club is bright.

Mr Talbot said: “The club lost a bit of its local touch over the years when we played in Ryman League North and we wanted to get back to being a locally-based side.

“Kevin certainly brings that to the club. He’s a clever lad and knows what he wants.

“He has positive plans and he will be held to them by the major shareholders – he has pledged to get the club back on the map.”

Along with a new chairman, there will be a new club and company secretary as Andy Bonneywell takes over from Henry Longhurst. Long-serving financial director Peter Enright will also be replaced.

Mr Talbot is ending a 20-year association with the club, which included around a decade as chairman, as he relocates to the South coast.

He said: “I need to be near my family but we have made sure we have found some sound replacements.

“We have made great progress off the pitch but we couldn’t get it right on the pitch.

“It’s been a bad season right from the start and despite changing managers a few times we have not been able to break out of it. We tried but unfortunately Paul (Piggott, the current manager) came in too late and he had a tough job on his hands.

“The club are in good hands, though. There are new floodlights coming in and we are quite proud of our achievements off the pitch."

Mr Hake, whose father is a previous Chatham manager, has been manager of Sheppey recently and this season has been in charge of Southern Counties East Division 1 side Gravesham – who groundshare at Chatham.

Chatham host Lewes on Saturday.