Whitstable Town unveil Paul Hyde as their new keeper coach

WHITSTABLE TOWN boss Peter Nott has today unveiled former Dover Athletic goalkeeper Paul Hyde as his new goalkeeper coach, writes Stephen McCartney.


Hayes, Middlesex born Hyde, 48, made 150 appearances in the Football League for Wycombe Wanderers (105 appearances) and Leyton Orient (45) and Martin O’Neil brought him to Leicester City, although he made no League appearances for the Midlands outfit.

He began his career with then Ryman League club Hayes, before O’Neil paid £15,000 to bring him to Wycombe Wanderers back in 1993.

Later on, Hyde signed for Dover Athletic in August 1999, and in recent years he has played for Hythe Town and Faversham Town, before ending his playing career in the Kent County League with Canterbury City.

“He will be responsible for the coaching of all the goalkeepers at the club from under 16 through to the first team and he will also assist Steve Nolan with the coaching of the first team,” Nott told www.whitstabletownfc.co.uk.

Nott has also strengthened his management team with the arrival of Dr David Chapman-Jones as performance and fitness coach.

Steve Nolan remains as Nott’s assistant manager/first team coach and Rikki Sceats will be the club’s physio.

The new look team are already well underway planning a pre-season schedule to ensure the Ryman League Division One South outfit will be at peak fitness for the start of the season.

“The Doc is extremely experienced in his field and he will devise a schedule to improve the overall fitness and performance levels of the players whilst also being able to lend his valuable experience to Rikki with sound advice to help players recover from injuries as soon as possible,” said Nott.

“Furthermore, he will also giving the boys amongst other information dietary advice so we are sure you will see a fitter and leaner Whitstable Town side this season.

“With the arrival of the Doc and Paul we have a really focused and specialised team to enable us to prepare the boys 100% right so they can perform to the best of their ability week in, week out.

“All of the management team are really looking forward to working with the boys when they report back to pre-season training on Saturday 2 July.”

Whitstable Town have made one summer signing so far with striker Keelan Mooney arriving from Kent League side Tunbridge Wells, where he scored 19 goals last season.

The Oystermen have lost three players this summer; leading goalscorer, Ian Pulman has been snapped up by Blue Square Bet South side Eastbourne Borough, Lloyd Blackman has signed for Hythe Town, whilst midfielder Michael Yianni has signed for another Ryman League Division One South side in Faversham Town.

“I am also very pleased to confirm that all other members of last season’s first team squad have put pen to paper and we are currently a long way down the line with discussions with a couple of other potential new signings,” revealed Nott.

“We have also invited some selected players along to pre-season training and all being well some of these will be offered terms before the season starts.

“I am also determined to give some of our promising younger players every chance to establish themselves in the first team set-up and this will be greatly helped as Dave Fairclough’s successful reserve team will be training with us.

“Rest assured, we will be working very hard to put together a Whitstable Town team that we can all be proud off this season.”

Quotes courtesy of  Tony Rouse – www.whitstabletownfc.co.uk