One of the unsung heroes in Whitstable’s management team has spoken glowingly of his relationship with boss Marcel Nimani.

Performance analyst Ben Maci was taught by Nimani, who works as head of PE at a school in Maidstone.

Nimani then brought Maci, still only 22, to Sheppey initially before he followed him and coach Craig Coles to The Belmont last season.

Maci said: “I’m grateful to have the people that I have at the club.

“Marcel got me to Sheppey and brought me along to Whitstable.

“I’m very grateful to be given the opportunity to do what I do. I’m just an extra pair of eyes.

“I’m fairly young, really, and only came out of uni last year. It’s just about making their jobs easier.

“Marcel is someone I have known for a few years. He was my teacher for GCSEs and A-Levels.

“I think these sorts of relationships are so vital in football.”

Maci explained what he does to help Nimani and the players perform.

“I just facilitate what the coaching staff want, really,” he noted. “A lot of that is analytics-based.

“We’re fortunate that our games are recorded and a lot of what I do is stats-based from that. It can help with player recruitment, team stats, player stats and reflects in the training sessions.

“A lot of my work has been understanding certain things and building certain foundations.

“There were no play-offs last season but, now, they’re going to be available.

“We’re looking for promotion and we’re not shy in saying that.

“If we can get a little percentage here or there, even if it just creates a placebo effect, it makes a difference and that’s why I enjoy it.”

An analyst position at a football club is fairly rare at Step 5 in the part-time game, but Maci thinks it’s becoming more prevalent.

He said: “It’s quite rare but we’re seeing that non-league football is becoming a lot more refined. You would be surprised, there’s more clubs looking to have it now.

“You have to balance it with other occupations but football is something I’m very passionate about.

“It’s almost pub talk with the boys - but more refined.

“Of course, it’s non-league football, but non-league football is as exciting as professional football.

“The aim for everyone is to make it to professional football and make it full-time, really.

“But non-league football is definitely a good stepping stone.”

Given his young age, Maci would love to make working in football a full-time role.

For now, though, he’s focused on helping the Oystermen battle for promotion from the Southern Counties East Premier Division.

“For me, it’s the experience that’s the most important thing with what I do,” he explained.

“But I would be lying if I said I didn’t want to do it full-time, really - whether that’s in youth football, the women’s game or wherever. The aim is to make football my occupation.

“Football is what I love doing, I didn’t want to settle for something I didn’t want to do, and football is what I enjoy the most.”

His work is presently only used with the first-team but could be used within the club’s youth set-up, too, in the near future.

Whitstable, who lost 5-0 at home to Isthmian Premier Lewes on Saturday, host East Grinstead this Saturday after they beat newly-promoted Isthmian South East side Erith & Belvedere 4-0 on Tuesday.

Two-goal Josh Williams, Josh Oliver and Steadman Callender were on the scoresheet.

“Pre-season is about mistakes,” added Maci. “If you’re going to make mistakes, make them in pre-season.

“Our friendlies are against Step 4 and Step 3 sides. That’s not a coincidence - that’s where we want to be.

“If you can get results, that’s fantastic. But pre-season is about making sure you are in a strong position in mind and body.

“We’re very excited.”

Whitstable’s first-team are due to play their Academy side in a friendly next Tuesday.