Whitstable Town boss Scott Porter moves upstairs and is to be replaced by Lloyd Blackman: This is a decision that I have decided to make for the better for the club and myself

WHITSTABLE TOWN have announced that manager Scott Porter will be taking on a new role next season to become director of football, while former Ramsgate manager Lloyd Blackman takes over the position at the end of the season.

The Oystermen are sitting in tenth-place in the Bostik South East Division table, having collected 42 points and complete their campaign with a trip to East Grinstead Town on Easter Saturday; a home game against Hythe Town on Easter Monday and a trip to Three Bridges on the final day of the season.

A club statement, which was published on www.whitstabletownfc.co.uk said: “This is a proposal that was brought to the committee by Scott and having now met and discussed it with all interested parties, the club feel that it is a positive move for the future.

“Whitstable Town recently announced that the senior and junior clubs would join together next season under a new chairman Steve Clayton and the proposed strengthening of the management team, with the introduction of Lloyd should be an exciting opportunity to build on the great job that Scott and his team have done over the past three seasons.”

Porter explained his reasoning behind the move as Blackman, who surprisingly stepped down as Ramsgate’s head coach on Saturday 8 December 2018, takes over at Belmont Road at the end of the month.

Porter said:  “This is a decision that I have decided to make for the better for the club and myself, with the approval of the committee.

“I was brought to the club just over three years ago, with the club certain of relegation from Ryman South with just eight games to go. Once relegation was confirmed, my job was to get the club back to where they belong, which I did with promotion to the Bostik South East, having finished the 2017-2018 season as runners up in the Southern Counties East Football League, along with winning the Challenge Cup and the Kent Senior Trophy, so becoming one of the most successful managers in the long history of Whitstable Town – something that I am very proud of.

“I approached Blacky, who I regard as a great friend, in and out of football and someone I can work with and trust, as we did when he was with me at Hythe Town.

“After expressing my thoughts and having a lot of meetings together, we put it to Joe Brownett (chairman) and Ron Martin (treasurer), also Steve Clayton (chairman to be) and they supported the idea 100%.

“This is an exciting time for the club, with the new chairman Steve Clayton bringing in fresh ideas on and off the pitch to move the club forward, especially the youth policy, a new reserve team and the existing academy, something Blacky is keen to support.

“I’m looking forward to working with the chairman and his team, along with Blacky and his staff.

“I would just like to thank Joe Brownett and Ron Martin for supporting me and the club during my reign as manager, as it wouldn’t have been a success without those two, also the players past and present under my reign, my backroom staff who will be staying on with Blacky and most importantly the fans who have been exceptional week in week out since I’ve been here.”

The existing management team will be joined by Paul Murray, a former professional footballer and Northern Irish international who had a very successful non-league career including spells at Dover Athletic and Ebbsfleet, amongst others. He is a UEFA A licensed coach, with a wealth of experience in non-league coaching and management and was Blacky’s assistant when they were together at Ramsgate.”

Mark Lane, meanwhile, retains his assistant manager and goalkeeping coach role and Darren Anslow retains his coaching position, alongside new appointment Murray.  Bob Reardon makes up the management team as team liaison.

The club added: “The committee would like to thank Scott for all of his hard work and achievements during the past three years, welcome Lloyd to the club and look forward to working with them both in their new roles.”

Visit Whitstable Town’s website: www.whitstabletownfc.co.uk