Danny Lawrence hopes some of Canterbury City’s players don’t make the same mistakes he did.

City are preparing for life in Southern Counties East Division 1 after suffering 2022/23 Premier Division relegation.

Manager Lawrence spent much of his playing career at Canterbury and Herne Bay.

With Henry Arnold attracting interest, he hopes his own squad don’t jump ship too soon - like he sometimes did.

Lawrence said: “I have been there and done it.

“Sometimes, I wished I had stayed somewhere where I enjoyed it.

“Hopefully Henry’s one we will be able to keep.

“But if he does go, it will be on really good terms and he will be welcomed back.”

City will groundshare at Margate from next season.

But the extra travelling means some have decided to move on.

Lawrence said: “Some players are from Gravesend and South London areas.

“Getting to Sittingbourne wasn’t too bad but, going down to Margate, that extra money would be coming out of their pockets.

“I gave everyone the opportunity to stay. To be honest, even the players that will be leaving would love to stay.

“But adding an extra 40 minutes on a journey makes things difficult.”

Lawrence, who played for City as they reached the FA Vase Semi-Final four years ago, hopes playing closer to Canterbury can help attract more fans.

“Margate have been brilliant,” he said.

“I was lucky enough to go down there.

“No disrespect to Sittingbourne, they were great, letting us stay there, but Margate’s facilities are excellent with the 3G pitch.

“If we have a home game, it doesn’t matter what the weather is like. Margate has got new changing rooms.

“With the players that do plan to stay, there’s a bit of a buzz about going down there.

“There’s plenty of trains and buses for fans.

“I know the chairman [Trevor James] was trying to get as close to Canterbury as they could. Massive credit to Margate.”

Lawrence intends to tap into his contacts this summer and has spoken to recently-appointed Ramsgate boss Ben Smith, who he played under.

He said: “I had a conversation with him last Tuesday night. I gave him a message to say congratulations and he called me.

“We have a relationship going back years and years.

“If he has a young player, it could be beneficial for us both [for them to get first-team football with City]. It’s the same with Margate.

“Ben is trying to sort out a friendly for us against Ramsgate.

“I almost view it as two transfer windows.

“We have this one now and then one around two weeks before the season starts when players have been on trial and start dropping levels.”

City want to recruit a new first-team goalkeeping coach. Email canterburycityfc1st@outlook.com for details.