Hythe unveil Dent as new first team coach

Tuesday 11th May 2010

HYTHE TOWN have today unveiled Nicky Dent, 42, as their new first team coach, writes Stephen McCartney.

Bristol born Dent arrives at Reachfields Stadium with plenty of experience to help manager Scott Porter to deliver the Bulmers Cider Kent League title next April.

Poole Town’s club history states that Dover Athletic splashed out £8,000 back in 1992 to bring the striker to Kent - after the Dorset club paid £5,000 to sign him two years earlier. Both deals remain Poole’s record transfer fees to this date.

Dent enjoyed a good one season at Crabble, clinching the Dr Martens (Southern) Premier League title.

He returned to Dover in August 2002 - after two season’s at Folkestone - and has also played for Ashford Town.

Club secretary, Martin Giles told www.kentishfootball.co.uk tonight: “He was Bristol born, I think he played for Bristol City and he played for Yeovil in the Conference.

“He definitely went across to Hong Kong, I think he was out there with Rudd Gullit - he’s been in some good company!

Mr Giles says Dent will bring a lot of experience to the club - in Porter’s second full season as manager.

“He’s very well known in the area and I think he’s got a very good name for football,” he added.

“I think he’s known as Folkestone’s best ever player, whether that’s true or not I don’t know - a lot of people call him that!”

Dent becomes the second new face of the summer, after Porter snapped up 22-goal central defender, Lee Shearer, 33, from Kent League and Kent Senior Trophy double winners, Faversham Town.

“Obviously we knew about Lee,” added Mr Giles. “A lot of our players know him quite well and it was known he wasn’t going in to (play in) the Ryman.

“He might have a new job or his circumstances have changed. We knew he wouldn’t fancy the Ryman season.

“We talked to him, he seemed very keen, and we’re very pleased to have him.

“He’s come to a club who wants him and that’s always a good thing for a player and he knows we can afford to pay him. He knows we won’t be mucking about and hopefully we’ll have a good season.”

Having finished in a disappointing third place - 21 points behind champions Faversham - Porter has been given the tools to go two better next term.

“The good thing about Scott is he gets on with things,” said Mr Giles. “He’s got on with it straight away and that’s what you’ve got to do.

“You have to move quickly to get the decent guys in. I think he’s got one or two irons in the fire as well and hopefully we’ll have some more good news in the next few days.

“The players fly out - ash permitting - on Thursday to Spain for a four-day break. I don’t think it’s going to happen before that.”

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