After returning to the role of chairman at Whitstable Town, Joe Brownett insists the club are on the right track again and focused on earning promotion straight back to the Ryman League.

The Belmont club’s committee met on Monday and ‘near unanimously’ voted to keep Scott Porter on as manager, while supporters were briefed in a meeting the following night.

Mr Brownett said: “The news that Scott is staying went down well. We called him on holiday and told him and he is already working towards next season.

“We have got friendlies arranged against Folkestone and Faversham and Scott wants us to go down to Lydd. We are working hard behind the scenes.”

With no realistic prospect of a reprieve despite finishing next-to-bottom in Ryman League Division 1 South, Town will ‘cut their cloth accordingly’ in the Southern Counties East League, according to Mr Brownett, whose previous 23 years spell at the helm ended in 2012 with the appointment of Gary Johnson as chairman.

He said: “We’re going to bring back the old days when we brought players through.

“Scott has been assured by some of the important players that they will be with him next year, that they are ready to commit to him and the club. The club won’t let him or them down.

“We will try as hard as we can to get back in the Ryman League as soon as possible.

“It’s all looking positive again, the club has lost a lot of debt and we are looking forward.

“This will have to be my last season as chairman, we have got to get it right this time, we need to re-establish the club with some younger people.”

Mr Brownett praised the Whitstable supporters after a ‘terrible season’ but added: “There is lots of work to do. The supporters have been good but we need some more help.

“We are seeking a programme editor and also someone to help maintain the ground.”

Anyone wishing to help is invited to call Mr Brownett on 07802 717840.