Shaun Welford is going to bring a lot of goals and good times to our club, says Scott Porter

Welford joins the club after leaving Maidstone United, having captained the Stones to promotion via the Ryman League Division One South play-offs after finishing as runners-up to promoted champions Dulwich Hamlet.

Welford scored 13 goals last season, despite being part of a rotated four-man strike-force.

During the 2011-12 season, he was the Stones’ leading goalscorer with 32 goals from 43 games.

Of course, Hythe supporters know the kind of player they are getting, as Welford scored twice against the club in a man-of-the-match display at Reachfields in January.

The most impressive aspect of that performance as that Welford was subject to a seven-day approach from Porter at the time, yet remaining loyal to the Stones’ title push and still turned in an excellent performance.

Welford’s football career has seen him play for Corinthian, Ramsgate, Dover Athletic and Margate prior to his move two years ago to Maidstone United.

“I’m delighted, it’s a massive signing for the club and a player I’ve wanted for a long time,” Porter told www.hythetownfc.co.uk.

“He has great experience and knowledge of the Ryman South as we look to go one step further than last season.”

Hythe Town finished the season just finished in fourth-place in the Ryman League Division One South – their highest finish – but suffered a disappointing 3-0 defeat at Faversham Town in the semi-finals of the play-offs.

Porter added: “Shaun is going to bring a lot of goals and good times to our club and I’m so glad to have signed him as a lot of clubs were also in for his signature. He is one of four big signings that I want to make this summer.”

However, it is regret that Hythe Town bid a fond farewell to striker Brendon Cass.

A club statement said: “Brendon will go down in Hythe Town history as the man who finally fired us to Kent League Championship glory.

“Having signed at the start of the 2010/11 season, he went on to score 37 goals in 47 appearances that season, including being the player whose shot deflected off Tunbridge Wells keeper Michal Czanner to land us the Kent League title in the 89th minute of the final league game of that season.

“Brendon had already scored two vital hat-tricks in the final five games of the championship run-in. One of which was completed in the 94th minute of a home game with Holmesdale that ended 3-2 after we had trailed 2-1 with twenty minutes of the game remaining. Crucial goals that if not scored would have handed Herne Bay the title that season.

“Since our promotion to the Ryman South two years ago Brendon has played a massive part in us establishing ourselves as a Ryman League club, leaning on his experience with former clubs Tonbridge, Folkestone, Chatham and of course Dartford, where he won the Ryman South title and Golden Boot.

“Brendon finishes on 66 goals from 138 appearances in a Hythe shirt, good luck and thank you Brendon!“

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