Next year is a whole new chapter for us all, we’re going to stick together as a team and push for promotion if we don’t make it this time round, says Hythe Town striker Alfie May

HYTHE TOWN have tied striker Alfie May to a contract until the end of next season.

The Cannons defeated second-placed Worthing 3-0 at Reachfields Stadium on Saturday - the club’s ninth consecutive home win - and are now sitting in tenth-place in the Ryman League Division One South table on 53 points from 31 games.

Hythe Town are now five points adrift of fifth-placed Guernsey and host bottom-seven side Walton Casuals on Tuesday night.

“I’m delighted to sign for another year for Hythe Town as the club has made me feel so welcome,” May, 22, told www.hythetownfc.co.uk.

“I love playing under the manager and with all the lads. I’ve never known a changing room like it!

“When I first signed for Hythe I spoke to the manager and he said that getting away from the threat of relegation would be brilliant and now you look at it and we are fighting for the play-offs!

“It’s unbelievable what we have done as a team, the staff have been fantastic and have placed so much trust in us.

“If we don’t make the play-offs this year we will be devastated but we’ve got to remember where we were 18 games back, bottom three, so we must be happy for what we have achieved.

“Next year is a whole new chapter for us all, we’re going to stick together as a team and push for promotion if we don’t make it this time round.”

The former Corinthian, Bromley, Chatham Town and Erith & Belvedere marksman was full of praise for Cook, who has scooped the manager-of-the-month award for January.

May said: "I love playing under Clive. We have conversations about everything, it's brilliant to have a manager that you can look at and think if you tell him anything he will be there to listen.

“I have played under some good managers but Clive is different to them all in a lot of ways. He praises everyone's contribution and that's why we have so much togetherness and we all play so well for both Clive and the club."

Following the deal being agreed, Cook said: "This is something the chairman and myself have been discussing with Alfie for a little while now, we feel it's the way to go with certain individuals and we are both excited with the way the squad has been shaping up. 

"Alfie has signed an eighteen month deal with us and it's great to have secured him as a Hythe Town player. He is what you call a true asset, only twenty-two years old, he has some great years ahead of him and I'm over the moon for us as a club to have secured him. I hope he won't be the last, let's wait and see."

Hythe Town Chairman, Paul Markland added: "I am pleased Alfie has committed to Hythe Town until at least the end of next season. He is a talented footballer and a great lad to have around the club - and our fans are certainly enjoying watching him.   

"We're determined to push on and Alfie is contributing by getting amongst the goals and also by occupying opposition defences to create spaces for our other strikers. 

“I am also delighted that Clive has been recognised by the Ryman League. He has done a great job since he has been back at Hythe Town."

Cook, who has turned things around having won 13 of his last 16 games, reflected on his Ryman League recognition.

He said: “I won't dwell on the award too much as everyone knows it is the curse...a bad omen! 

“I was told by text on Saturday night after the Worthing game and my first thought was, oh no, not that award!

"But listen, it's not my award; it's ours, my management team, my physio, my kit man, my squad, the supporters, the chairman and the board, and everyone else who puts in the hours of hard work into making this football club work. I'm proud to have won this award as the manager of OUR club."

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