Hythe Town will play their first seven Southern Counties East Division 1 matches away from home while 3G pitch installed at Reachfields

Manager Andy Crush is looking at the bigger picture as Hythe Town prepare to start the league season with seven successive away games.

Town will be on the road throughout August and September while contractors install a 3G pitch at Reachfields.

The switch from grass to artificial turf is central to chairman Andy Nanda’s plan to transform the Cannons into a self-sustainable community club.

The Southern Counties East League have done their bit by scheduling all of Hythe’s early-season Division 1 fixtures away from home, including an August 8 curtain-raiser at Halls.

They will, though, need to find a venue to host either Wick or Loxwood in the FA Vase second qualifying round on September 12.

While the Cannons face a wait to play in front of their home crowd, Crush knows it will be worth it after planning permission for the 3G was granted by Folkestone & Hythe Council earlier this month.

“Now people are hearing it’s been approved and we’re almost ready to put the shovel in the ground, everyone’s pretty excited around the club,” said Crush.

“It’s another little buzz of ‘let’s get this done’ and when everyone sees the first load of pictures of turf coming up, it will have a massive impact.

“The league have only put out the fixtures for August and September so far and we have seven fixtures, which are all away.

“That could go either way but the bigger picture is making sure we’re playing on 3G at home, not getting to February when it’s chucked it down all week and you’re wondering if the game is going to be on or not.

“If you go and get a really good start away from home in your first seven, then you look at it and say it’s not made any difference to us and now we’re going to reap the rewards of playing at home.

“But also it