Nathan Elder leaves Sittingbourne to link up with new Hythe manager Steve Watt

By: Craig Tucker ctucker@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 09:12, 10 September 2019

Updated: 09:14, 10 September 2019

Chris Lynch bears no grudges after assistant manager Nathan Elder quit Sittingbourne for Kent rivals Hythe.

Elder has joined the Cannons as No.2 to new boss Steve Watt in a move that sees him reunited with his former Maidstone team-mate.

Nathan Elder and Chris Lynch on the touchline at Sittingbourne Picture: Chris Davey

Brickies manager Lynch was never going to stand in Elder's way and is set to announce a new assistant this week.

Lynch said: "Nathan came to me and said he'd been offered the chance to go and work with Watty and he felt it was an opportunity he wanted to explore.

"I have no problem with that and I wish him all the best.

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"He's made a decision where he wants to take the next step of his journey and I'm going to support that.

"I respect the fact he was approached by Watty, who will want people he knows around him.

Steve Watt and Nathan Elder played together at Maidstone Picture: Steve Terrell

"Hythe have got a much bigger budget, it's helping someone he played with and it's a move that kind of excited him so, for me, that's fine.

"I'm not going to hold anyone back. You've got to be happy and if there's something else you want to do, it's non-league football, you're not contracted, go and do it.

"I've only known Nathan since January whereas he and Watty go back years, so it's a no-brainer."

Watt named Hythe boss

Elder was promoted to assistant manager by Lynch having worked as player-coach under former Brickies manager Aslan Odev.

He was a popular figure around the club and is due to return to Woodstock with Hythe on October 19.

New Hythe manager Steve Watt Picture: Andy Jones

Lynch said: "He's a big character who's had a good playing career and players look up to him, like they do the rest of the management team.

"His main role for me was interacting with the players and keeping things a little bit fun.

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"The transition from playing to being a member of the coaching team is a massive step in any sphere, let alone when you've played with some of the players you're now trying to coach.

"Nathan's had an opportunity here and now he has the chance to make a clean break.

"We'll remain friends and I'll make a further announcement in a few days' time on a new No.2."