Lloyd Blackman admits Whitstable Town’s long-term vision served as a key component in him accepting the manager’s job at The Belmont.

The former Ramsgate boss will take charge of the Oystermen next season as successor to Scott Porter, who has been named the new director of football.

Blackman’s appointment follows on from the news that Steve Clayton will take over from the club’s longest-serving chairman Joe Brownett, with the view of uniting the senior and junior sections.

Read more: Scott Porter announces new position at Whitstable

Blackman said: “Scott (Porter) approached me to see if I’d be interested in taking over next season. I had some conversations with Scott and then moved onto conversations with the board, that’s pretty much how it came about.

“A combination of things (attracted him to the club), the conversation I had with Scott was very positive, he sold the club to me. The long-term plans were really encouraging and one of the biggest draws, the simple fact they’re thinking to the future, the academy and the under-23s. It was an attractive proposition.

“It’s been a really smooth transition, one that I couldn’t have hoped to have gone as smoothly as it has. The response I’ve had so far has been really encouraging.

“Every new job creates a different challenge. I haven’t been in and around the club as of yet so I’m sure there will be different changes.

“My philosophy and the things I want to help develop centre around the youth side and a progressive pathway for youth players but obviously making sure we’re challenging and competing, that’s really important for me.”

Strengthening Whitstable’s squad now occupies a spot high on Blackman’s agenda, alongside gaining some clarity on what the future holds for the club’s current crop.

Blackman added: “I think every manager is already preparing for next season. There are players I’ve identified and I also need to speak to the current players to hear their ambitions and their plans for next season.

“It’s in the early stages, I’ve seen Whitstable play a few times this season and believe with the plans I have and with recruitment we can improve on a group that is doing really well already.

“In the Bostik South there are a lot of Kent clubs so there’s only a certain pool of players. You have to think outside the box. That presents different challenges again.

“You have to get out and make sure you’re well aware of the league you’re in and the leagues above and below. I’d like to think I’ve done that over the past three or four months, there’s not been a Saturday or a Tuesday where I haven’t been to a game to cast my eye over players.”

Having found themselves in a precarious position towards the pit of the league table in March, Town have since mounted an impressive response with five wins and two draws in their last nine games.

They complete their Bostik South East campaign at Three Bridges on Saturday.

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