Boss Keith McMahon has thanked Whitstable’s fans for helping him sign Stephen Okoh.

Okoh joined last week alongside Kemo Darboe, with both playing as Whitstable won 3-0 at Hythe on Saturday in Isthmian South East.

McMahon has revealed money donated by the club’s supporters was used to sign Okoh who has previously played for Faversham, Hythe and Margate.

“He went to Whitehawk but we have managed to get him over here. The travelling was getting to him,” Whitstable’s manager explained on the signing of Okoh who will return to Whitehawk with his new club this Saturday.

“We have supporters who gave us a bit of money, so I believe we went down that route to get Stephen.

"It just goes to show the size of the club.

“They (Whitstable’s fans) said, when I took over, they had a bit of money that I could spend.

"The club has asked me to say how grateful we are to those supporters.”

Darboe is a player McMahon is familiar with.

McMahon said: “I had Kembo at VCD in the Isthmian Premier. He is a big, strong lad.

“He was a threat on Saturday and, had it not been for a couple of saves by their keeper, he would have scored.

"So I was pleased with him.”

Winger Alex Gaggin scored on his first start for the Oystermen at Reachfields. Whitstable’s other goals came from Luke Illsley and Danny Walder.

McMahon was pleased with Gaggin’s performance but warned: “He is not 100 per cent fit yet but he got his goal and he was involved with the other two goals as well.”

The manager, who took over at the start of last month, added: “It’s nearly a squad that’s my own now.

"I think we need another centre-half now with Ollie Gray out with a dislocated shoulder.

“But if we play like we did on Saturday, we won’t have a problem getting some positive results.”

The win took second-bottom Whitstable on to eight points, two behind East Grinstead with Lancing another two points better off.

McMahon said: “Everyone around us lost so we are right amongst it.

"I’m positive we can get out of it.”

McMahon suggested he may, though, aim to bolster his defensive ranks with Gray now set to be sidelined.

On Gray, he said: “I think we are not expecting him back until the New Year now. Everyone around the club really likes him so it’s a shame.

"But we just have to regroup and carry on.”

Whitstable were beaten 6-1 by National League South leaders Dartford in the delayed 2019/20 Kent Senior Cup final.

Experienced midfielder Walder was on target for the Oystermen at Princes Park on Wednesday night.

• Kent Senior Cup final match report: Dartford 6-1 Whitstable

• McMahon: It was pointless me throwing teacups