Whitstable Town performance analyst Ben Maci, 22, explains his role with The Belmont and relationship with manager Marcel Nimani

One of the unsung heroes in Whitstable’s management team has spoken glowingly of his relationship with boss Marcel Nimani.

Performance analyst Ben Maci was taught by Nimani, who works as head of PE at a school in Maidstone.

Nimani then brought Maci, still only 22, to Sheppey initially before he followed him and coach Craig Coles to The Belmont last season.

Maci said: “I’m grateful to have the people that I have at the club.

“Marcel got me to Sheppey and brought me along to Whitstable.

“I’m very grateful to be given the opportunity to do what I do. I’m just an extra pair of eyes.

“I’m fairly young, really, and only came out of uni last year. It’s just about making their jobs easier.

“Marcel is someone I have known for a few years. He was my teacher for GCSEs and A-Levels.

“I think these sorts of relationships are so vital in football.”

Maci explained what he does to help Nimani and the players perform.

“I just facilitate what the coaching staff want, really,” he noted. “A lot of that is analytics-based.

“We’re fortunate that our games are recorded and a lot of what I do is stats-based from that. It can help with player recruitment, team stats, player stats and reflects in the training sessions.

“A lot of my work has been understanding certain things and building certain foundations.

“There were no play-offs last season but, now, they’re going to be available.

“We’re looking for promotion and we’re not shy in saying that.

“If we can get a little percentage here or there, even if it just creates a placebo effect, it makes a difference and that’s why I enjoy it.”

An analyst position at a football club is fairly rare at step 5 in the part-time game, but Maci thinks it’s becoming more prevalent.

He said: “It’s quite rare but