Whitstable Town have moved quickly to appoint a new manager following the departure of Keith McMahon.

Former Football League player Andy Drury comes in at the Belmont, just hours after the club parted company with McMahon on Monday evening.

Midfielder Drury, 38, leaves Folkestone - who are chasing promotion from Isthmian Premier - for the Oystermen who sit bottom of the Isthmian South East table and are facing relegation.

But Drury had also been player-assistant to Danny Kedwell at Isthmian Premier Cray Wanderers earlier this season and says he is looking to the challenge as he takes the hot-seat himself for the first time.

He told Whitstable's website: "I’m delighted to be appointed manager of Whitstable Town FC. It is a great club with great fans.

"I have watched a few games this season and know there are some good players at the club, so I look forward to working with them.

"The next few weeks will be tough, so we need everyone to stick together as we try to turn things around.

"Please get behind us and I will do my best to bring some success to the club."

Drury began his career with Sittingbourne but went onto play for the likes of Stevenage, Luton, Ipswich and Crawley.

He re-joined the Brickies in September 2020 before spells with Cray Wanderers and Folkestone this campaign.

A brief Folkestone statement on Tuesday morning on Twitter read: "We regret to announce that Andy Drury has departed the club to take the post of manager at @whitstabletown.

"We thank Andy for all his efforts during his time at Invicta and wish him all the best for the future."

Whitstable visit play-off chasing Haywards Heath this Saturday in the first of their seven remaining games in the regular league season.

Drury will have to do without defender Tom Mills who was sent off against Hythe on Saturday in a 2-0 home loss and will now serve a three-game ban.

The club are three points adrift and eight behind fourth-bottom Lancing, having lost eight of their last nine matches.

Drury plans also to play for Whitstable.