The chairman’s been absolutely fantastic to back me and what I want to do is keep on repaying him, says Hythe Town boss Clive Cook

HYTHE TOWN boss Clive Cook says beating local rivals Folkestone Invicta over Christmas was a big win for the club.

The Cannons dominated the league rivals from start to finish in front of a crowd of 1,527 at Reachfields Stadium last Sunday, winning the game through Alfie May’s winner five minutes from time.

It was a perfect 57^th birthday present for Cook, who has turned around the club’s fortunes during his 12 games in sole charge.

The Cannons have won 9 of those games and have climbed up to thirteenth-place in the Ryman League Division One South table on 41 points from 27 games.

Cook takes his side to Ramsgate tomorrow, a side that are in the top four in the table, but suffered a 4-0 defeat at Sittingbourne last Monday.

“We’ve got three big games, there’s three big games, Folkestone, Ramsgate and Hastings, who always going to be big tests,” said Cook.

“If we can get something out of all three games, I do say we’ll be there or there abouts.

“That’s a big win for us (against Folkestone). It claws it back in again so I’m pleased.

“We’ve just got to believe in ourselves. If we believe in ourselves totally we’ll be fine.”

Looking ahead to coming across Jim and Danny Ward at Ramsgate tomorrow, Cook said: “A hard place to go there but we’re flying. Play like that we won’t have a problem!

“I always like a big challenge. I like a challenge in football. I love it.  

“We’re up against a very good side on Saturday so let’s just see where we land after that and see if we can get something out of the game.”

Hythe Town are seven points adrift of fifth-placed Herne Bay and when asked whether he can guide the club into the play-off zone come the end of the season, Cook kept his cards close to his chest.

“Talk to you in three or four games time, I’ll let you know,” he said.

Hythe Town started the season in disastrous form and looked destined to be in for a tough season struggling at the bottom of the table but Cook revealed that a change of personnel has helped turn fortunes around at Reachfields Stadium.

It looked like Hythe Town had their mojo back against Folkestone Invicta with a tempo that Scott Porter would have been proud off.

“I took it on when they’ve done 10 games, four points, now we’ve gone 27 games and done 41 points. I’m absolutely over the moon with that, absolutely over the moon,” said Cook.

“I changed all of the personnel. I had to because they’re not my type of player. Every manager’s different. It’s a shame that’s the way it is.

“We’ve brought some quality in. The chairman’s been absolutely fantastic to back me and what I want to do is keep on repaying him.  We’ll see where we land in four and five games, we’ll see where we go.”

Cook added: “I enjoy it. I love it. It’s fantastic. I just love it. I love the club.”

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

Ramsgate  v  Hythe Town
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 2^nd January 2016
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Southwood Stadium, Prices Road, Ramsgate, Kent CT11 0AN

Article published 14:20 – Friday 1 January 2016