Whitstable Town appoint former Stevenage, Ipswich Town, Luton Town and Crawley Town midfielder Andy Drury as new manager

Whitstable Town have moved quickly to appoint a new manager following the departure of Keith McMahon.

Former Football League player Andy Drury comes in, just hours after the club had announced they had parted company with McMahon on Monday evening.

Midfielder Drury, 38, leaves Folkestone - who are chasing promotion from Isthmian Premier - for the Oystermen who sit bottom of Isthmian South East and are facing relegation.

But Drury had also been assistant to Danny Kedwell at Isthmian Premier Cray Wanderers earlier this season and says he is looking to the challenge as he takes the hot-seat himself for the first time.

He told the club website: "I’m delighted to be appointed manager of Whitstable Town FC. It is a great club with great fans.

"I have watched a few games this season and know there are some good players at the club, so I look forward to working with them.

"The next few weeks will be tough, so we need everyone to stick together as we try to turn things around.

"Please get behind us and I will do my best to bring some success to the club."

Drury began his career with Sittingbourne but went onto play for the likes of Stevenage, Luton, Ipswich and Crawley.

He re-joined the Brickies in September 2020 before spells with Cray Wanderers and Folkestone.

Whitstable visit play-off chasing Haywards Heath this Saturday in the first of their seven remaining games in the regular league season.

Drury will have to do without defender Tom Mills who was sent off against Hythe on Saturday in a 2-0 home loss and will now serve a three-game ban.

The club are three points adrift and eight behind fourth-bottom Lancing, having lost eight of their last nine matches.