Liam Gillies had his head turned by Sevenoaks Town's offer, says Whitstable Town boss Lloyd Blackman

WHITSTABLE TOWN manager Lloyd Blackman has said he was disappointed to lose central midfielder Liam Gilles to league rivals Sevenoaks Town.

The Oystermen are sitting in tenth-place in the Isthmian League South East Division table, having collected 34 points from their 24 league games, while Micky Collins’ side are a couple of places higher with the same number of points but with two games in hand.

"It’s been another busy week regarding player movements and it’s with extreme disappointment we say goodbye to Liam Gillies, who has decided to move to Sevenoaks,” Blackman told www.whitstabletownfc.club.

“I felt here was a much better place for his development, having been our joint second highest appearance maker this season with 33 and considering this was his first full season in senior football, he was doing marvellously well.

“Last Wednesday, we had spoken and he had confirmed to me that he was staying, but a week later frustratingly I received a message to tell me that he'd had his head turned and felt it was best to move on. I wish him all the best for the future.”

Blackman handed Jay Hards his debut as a late substitute in their 2-1 home win over Burgess Hill Town yesterday.

He said: “The good news is that we were able to bring in young Gillingham apprentice Jay Hards, who most will already know about.

“He received the biggest cheer when he came on briefly to make his debut on Saturday and is a player I’m looking forward to working with.

“His family have a long-standing connection with this football club and Jay becomes the third generation to have played for Whitstable Town.”

Whitstable Town, now only four points adrift of the play-off zone, travel to fourth-placed side Cray Valley (Paper Mills) on Tuesday night (19:45).

Herne Bay are in the final play-off berth after coming away from Hythe Town with a 1-1 draw at the weekend.

Sevenoaks Town, meanwhile, welcome Hythe Town to Greatness Park on Tuesday night (19:30).

Visit Whitstable Town’s website: www.whitstabletownfc.club