Midfielder Andy Drury says Chatham Town’s Isthmian South East title-winning season vindicates his decision to play on after departure as Margate manager

Experienced Chatham midfielder Andy Drury believes their title-winning triumph has vindicated his decision to put his boots back on.

Drury scored on Easter Monday in their 2-0 home win over title rivals Ramsgate.

It was the 39-year-old’s first goal in a while, too, after a seven-month spell at the Margate helm which followed a player-boss spell at Whitstable.

Chats player-assistant Danny Kedwell, a close friend of Drury, was swiftly on the phone to try and get him playing again after his Boxing Day dismissal from Hartsdown Park.

Although Drury wasn’t sure he was still capable of playing at the level, it certainly proved the right call.

He said: “I left Margate. Things didn’t go too well there, I felt I was quite harshly treated by the fans. It hasn’t been any better really since I’ve left.

“Keds is a good mate of mine. He wanted me to join straight away but I needed a couple of weeks to get my head right and get my fitness up as well.

“I carried on playing. I wasn’t sure about it at the start but it’s worked out well.

“I’ve been quite pleased with my form as the season has gone on. I didn’t realise I still could do it, I was a bit nervous when I first started coming along.

“But it has vindicated my decision to carry on playing. It’s been great.”

Drury netted against Ramsgate after substitute Emmanuel Oloyede had made an almost instant impact to break the deadlock in the second half.

“It’s always nice,” Drury said. “It was my first goal for a year or so.”

Drury’s Chats debut came in mid-January and he has been surprised at how well Kevin Hake’s club is set up.

“I didn’t realise how good a club it was when I first came,” he said.

“It was everything I was trying to get Margate to be - obviously I didn’t have time - but it’s