Hythe Town pull their reserves out of the Kent League

HYTHE TOWN secretary Martin Giles has explained why the club has pulled their reserve side out of the Kent League, writes Stephen McCartney.


Scott Porter guided the first team to the Kent League title, but John Underdown’s reserve side struggled in the second division, finishing one place above bottom side Folkestone Invicta in an eighteen league game campaign.

And with Ryman League Division One South football coming to Reachfields Stadium in August, club officials feel the need of a parting of ways.

“We have pulled our reserves out of this season’s Kent League so as to be able to concentrate on the demands of the longer Ryman season,” said Mr Giles.

Ryman League sides play 12 more league games than Kent League sides.

“Manager John Underdown has done a good job and there was a reasonable nucleus of players but the board were ultimately responsible for its running and we know that things do often go wrong,” said Mr Giles.

“In the past we have had players leave because of not enough fixtures and then when we start catching up in March and April some have committed to part-time jobs and are unavailable.

“Last season we lost some when we played two or three first teamers who needed a game and they couldn’t understand that.

“In the end we reckon it costs around £3,000 per season, which would be worth it if there were no problems and there was good interchange between the sides but there is quite a gap in standards.

“We feel that we really need to assess the demands of a long Ryman season on everyone at the club and our experience has been that when and if things go wrong you do not want to be too stretched.

“We are therefore prioritising our first team and its new league – and we also have an under 18 side in the Kent Youth League.  We will review things as the season progresses and who knows if those lads could form the basis of a new reserve side in the future.”

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