Darren Blackburn admitted he had other coaching offers but felt he couldn’t turn down the opportunity to join the coaching team at Sheppey United.

Blackburn has been appointed joint assistant manager, alongside Geoff Record, and got to work immediately. It’s a job he was first approached about last summer. The time wasn’t right then but it is now.

Blackburn said: “Ernie offered me a role last summer but I wasn’t in a position to take it. I was contemplating stepping down at Hythe (where he was no.2 at Steve Watt) due to personal and family commitments and had to focus on some things away from football. That has settled down now.

“Ernie and I stayed in touch and I went to the last half a dozen home games. I felt I was in a position where I could get back in and do something, although like buses, a few developments happened over the weekend at some good clubs. But I felt like I owed it to Ernie, the way things panned out last summer when I couldn’t take on the role.

“Even though I have not worked at the club previously it felt like that was where my loyalty lay, which is what I am like if someone shows me their loyalty and that attention.

“Ernie and I had a really good chat on Monday and he set out what his views are for the season and how things could potentially work.

“He is staying on as manager and has given his reasons and I completely agree with them. He has done wonders at the club, on and off the pitch, the club has come on so far in such a short time and it is nice to be a part of the set-up.

“I have really enjoyed my time at the level, at Sittingbourne and Hythe, a lot of the players I know are well suited to the level and it is a good fit for me. It felt right, everything felt right.”

Batten agreed and said: “Darren is very well connected at this level and is someone I always felt was a good fit for this club.

“He likes his teams to play football, he’ll be good with the players and will bring fresh ideas onto the training ground.

“Darren won’t be shy in sharing his ideas with Geoff and I, and I’ll welcome his additional input. Darren is someone who can go on and shine at this football club.”

The club, meanwhile, have announced the return of popular goalkeeper coach and Islander Adam “Beefy” Wicketts, who will also train the under-23 goalies.

Batten said: “Good goalkeeper coaches are hard to come by and Beefy is top drawer. He fitted in really well with us when stepping up from the summer time and I had no hesitation in asking him back.”

Kit man and communication director Lee Allen is taking on extra responsibilities as he’s now the club’s general manager, assisting with off-the-pitch administration, player liaison and also continuing his analysis role.

Azza Gray had stepped up from his youth coach role to assist the first team this season and Batten thanked him, saying: “He hasn’t done anything wrong, but I wanted to change it up a bit with this new structure, and I wish Azza all the best.

“There may still be other potential opportunities where we can look to use Azza.”

Gray said: “It’s been a privilege being involved in this team and working alongside everyone - The FA Cup run will live with me forever - Up the Ites!”