I know where we need to improve for the coming season to challenge for the title, says Whitstable Town boss Scott Porter

WHITSTABLE TOWN boss Scott Porter admits his side have fallen short this season.

The Oystermen suffered relegation from the Ryman League Division One South in April 2016 and Porter guided the club to a top-five finish in the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division table having collected 69 points from their 38 league games.


TOGETHER AGAIN: Craig Cloke (left) has teamed up
with Scott Porter at Southern Counties East Football
League Premier Division side Whitstable Town
Photo: Whitstable Town FC

The club finished 23 points adrift of league champions Ashford United.

“Last season was a rebuilding project on and off-the-field with Joe Brownett taking back over as chairman ,which he has done brilliantly to get the club liked again and run the right way,” said Porter.

“For me I started fresh, which at times was difficult attracting the right players because of so many comings and goings on and off-the-park the season we got relegated from the Ryman South.

“We fell short this season on the pitch but we have rebuilt the club on and off the pitch, which is a massive step moving forward.

“I know where we need to improve for the coming season to challenge for the title, which I’m working on every day.

“It’s a tough League to get out of, that’s why it’s important to get the right blend of players to the club, which we didn’t have last season.”

Porter has made his first summer signing by enticing central defender Craig Cloke, 32, to drop down one division from Ryman League Division One South side Hythe Town.

“This is probably the biggest signing Whitstable have made for many years,” Porter said of the former Dover Athletic and Margate defender.

“Clokey will bring so much to the club, both on and off-the-pitch. He has great experience from levels above and is a leader, winner and a top-quality defender.

“I’m delighted that he has agreed to work with me again. It shows our ambition and the type of players that I want at the club to take us to the next level.  Clokey will also be the club captain.”

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