One of the most eventful weeks in Hythe Town’s recent history has ended with the appointment of a new chairman. Gary Johnson, the former Whitstable chairman, has ended his seven-year absence from football by taking the reins at Reachfields.
The ex-referee and Isthmian League director replaces temporary chairman Andy Short who in turn succeeds long-serving Martin Giles as secretary.
A week ago manager Steve Watt was preparing to quit the Isthmian South East play-off finalists, feeling he was being forced out by four new board members.
When they subsequently left, Watt made a quick return to the Cannons and set about putting his squad back together. He now has a new chairman to work with. “I am thrilled to join an ambitious club who want to progress and have a first-class manager in Steve Watt,” said Johnson, who runs two small businesses. “The board have asked me to provide strategic leadership to galvanise the club as they move forward. “I am also excited to be back in football that has given me so much over the years.