I want to take Hythe up to the Ryman League, says Takaloo

The 29-year-old, Broadstairs based striker has previously won the Kent League crown with Ramsgate and Maidstone United, and he wants to complete a unique treble this term.

Takaloo, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk after sealing the deal, says he has left Margate this week as he didn’t want to endure another relegation dog-fight to stay in the Ryman Premier League.

It was his goal that maintained Maidstone United’s status in that division on the final day of last season, which relegated opponents Folkestone Invicta in the process.

Takaloo, who was on non-contract terms at Margate, also revealed Gate boss Terry Yorath is one of a couple managers that are targeting transfer listed Folkestone Invicta striker, James Dryden.

“Terry wanted to bring in another player,” revealed Takaloo. “They wanted to sign Jimmy Dryden from Folkestone.

“I wasn’t on contract down there, Hythe phoned me up, they’re top of the League and they just want someone to get a few goals and take them up.

“It seems like a nice little challenge; I’ve given it a go and I’ll go down there and see what I can do.”

Takaloo explained he is fed up with relegation dog-fights and wants to guide Hythe Town into the Ryman League at the end of the season.

Paul Fisk’s charges are currently at the top of the Kent League table with 41 points from 18 games - two points clear of second placed Holmesdale.

They travel to third-placed Tunbridge Wells on Saturday, and victory at Culverden Stadium will take them another step their goal.

Margate, meanwhile, are second-from-bottom in the Ryman Premier League table, with 22 points from 26 games - and are five points adrift of safety.

“Let’s be honest, at Margate, it’s going to be a relegation battle now,” admits Takaloo.

“I’ve had one off them at Maidstone last season, and I’d rather be winning a league than fighting relegation.

“It’s a horrible feeling when you do get sent down. I would much rather try and get Hythe up the league there in and up into the Ryman.”

Folkestone Invicta target Takaloo, feels Hythe Town can also follow in the same footsteps as Ramsgate and Maidstone United.

“I’ve played in the Kent League with Ramsgate and we won it a few years ago and they’ve gone on from there and are now an established Ryman Premier League side - and the same with Maidstone.

“When I went to Maidstone (from Ramsgate) a lot of people said “why don’t you stay at Ramsgate”, you just got promoted (into the Ryman Premier League)?

“It was the challenge of winning the league again and doing that again.”

Takaloo added, “There’s no reason in a couple of years time Hythe can’t be sitting in the Ryman Premier.

“When I look back on my footballing career, looking back taking Maidstone and Ramsgate to Kent League to Ryman One, hopefully I can do the same thing with Hythe.

“Everything’s always better when you’re winning; all my time in football is usually been at the top end of football and used to winning stuff.

“With Maidstone, it was the first time I’ve experienced losing and struggling most weeks and the same thing (happened) with Ramsgate and Margate this year.

“It’s always better when you’re winning. I know it’s a drop down the football ladder, but the reason I’ve done it is I strongly believe Hythe will be in the Ryman League next year anyway.”

Hythe secretary, Martin Giles, also speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk, insists the club are showing their true intentions with tonight’s transfer coup.

“It shows our intentions,” he said. “Nobody can be sure what we can achieve, but it shows what our intentions are.”

Speaking about the deal, Mr Giles, added, “We hope he stays longer; both of us have to get used to each other and see what happens. We don’t know what the future will bring.

“He’s signing with the intention of staying at the club for as long as he can - and we want him to stay for as long as he can.”

Mr Giles also revealed the club have submitted a seven-day approach to Kent League rivals Faversham Town to bring Roy Guiver back to Reachfields Stadium.

“Having been at Hythe for a couple of spells, we think Roy might want to come back to us and we would like to welcome him back obviously,” he said.

“It’s in Faversham’s hands at the moment. They had the seven-day approach in on Tuesday and they have to advise us when we can approach him. If he should want to leave Faversham, he’s free to do so at the end of the seven days.”

Victory at Tunbridge Wells on Saturday will certainly boost the club’s title bid.

“I think we’re a happy club, we’re a well run club, we’re in the black and we try and do things the right way,” explained Mr Giles.

“It’s anyone’s title, anybody could win it, we’re one of the club’s that could win it.

“We’ve got the ground grading, we just need a check on the ground - but we won’t fail on that.

Mr Giles says striker Michael Smissen could return from his cartlidge operation in five or six weeks time.

“He’s had his operation two weeks ago, he goes for a check tomorrow and hopefully he will be ok,” he said.

“The thought of Takaloo and Buster Smissen up front, I think would probably be quite good for a lot of clubs.

“Buster scored 47 goals last year, you’ve got to miss those and people like Dave Cook and Pat Kingwell have stepped up and done well.

“Buster is clinical; give him one chance and he will win a game for you.”

Visit Hythe Town’s website:  www.hythetownfc.co.uk

Tunbridge Wells v Hythe Town
Bulmers Cider Kent League
Saturday 24^th January 2009
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Culverden Stadium, Culverden Down, Tunbridge Wells, Kent