Ryan Smith says he’s more determined than ever to see Lydd Town have a successful season following Scott Porter’s resignation.

The Lydders were left without a manager after Porter and his backroom team left on the eve of the new campaign.

De facto chairman Smith and fellow player Ronnie Dolan have taken interim charge, an arrangement Smith expects to stay in place for the next four to six weeks.

The Lydders have lost their opening two matches, edged 1-0 at VCD in Southern Counties East, followed by a 2-1 FA Cup extra preliminary round defeat at Camberley last weekend.

They host Sutton Athletic at the Lindsey Field on Saturday (3pm) looking for their first points of the season.

“With Scott leaving, all it did was light a fire in my belly that I’m more determined than ever to have a successful season because that didn’t need to happen,” said defender Smith.

There’s been interest in the manager’s job even though the position is yet to be formally advertised.

It isn’t something Smith expected to be taking on but needs must until the Lydders appoint Porter’s successor.

He said: “I didn’t envisage myself doing it. I’ve got a busy work life as well as football life.

“We’re looking for a coach, that’s for sure. Even if I am doing it short-term I need some backroom staff.

“Ronnie, being a top friend of mine, stepped in but it can’t be easy when he’s playing as well.

“I’ve had people apply for the manager’s job without even advertising it. There’ll be massive interest, I know that.

“But with how close the season was when Scott left, I haven’t had time to focus and sit down with the board and get the proper advertisement out.

“I’ve got a director of football for a reason, Mike Robbins, and he’s there to advise and he’ll have a big say on what we look for going forward.

“But here and now the responsibility and the ownership falls to me and Ron and that will be the case for the next four to six weeks, I would say.”

Whether Smith continues to play during his interim spell is another matter.

He added: “I don’t necessarily agree with player-managers because you can’t see things objectively.

“If you want to be a success in football I don’t think you can do both simultaneously.

“Yes, on an ad-hoc basis, you might have to cover, but you’ve got to put all your effort and energy into being the best manager for your team or being the best player.

“To try and switch hats so often, I think that would be difficult.”