Scott Porter insists Lloyd Blackman was the only person he considered as a worthy successor to him as Whitstable Town manager.

Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Three Bridges represented Porter’s final game in charge before taking on his new role as director of football at The Belmont.

He is now preparing to help Blackman, formerly manager of Ramsgate, in shaping his squad as the Oystermen seek to break into the top half of the Bostik South East table next season.

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Porter admitted: “He’s the only one I would have given the job to.

“I trust him, his knowledge of football is second to none, his game, his drive, the way he motivates players and himself is at a high standard. I wouldn’t have given it to anybody else.

“I’ll continue to be working with Lloyd, the chairman and the people of Whitstable.

“I have a good relationship with Lloyd and his coaching staff, I’ll be involved with everything but Lloyd is the manager and it’s as simple as that. He’s working hard as we speak.

“Lloyd’s got his own philosophy, he plays differently to how I play.

“When we had a meeting on Tuesday it gave people a heads up of the players he wants and then we have to rack our brains around it, but he makes the decision on it.

“We’ve got a good backroom staff to work with him and help him.”

Porter’s time at the helm saw him help Whitstable reclaim their place in the Bostik South East division as well as lift both the Kent Senior Trophy and the Southern Counties East Challenge Cup.

He said: “To be fair, it was a massive project when I started. When we got relegated, which was out of my hands, the main aim was to get back to the Bostik South East.

“We then won two cup finals and finished near mid-table this season, it’s been challenging but it’s been enjoyable. When you lift trophies you get an extra buzz, I’m now handing it all over to a man I trust.

“Of course I’ll miss it, it’s in your blood but at certain times you have to change that. It was down to me to take on a role on upstairs, that was my decision.

“We’ve already had a few meetings with the board and with Lloyd so the work doesn’t stop.”

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