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Chris Kinnear and Kieron Campbell sign new contracts at Hythe Town

Hythe Town's plan to increase their revenue streams has convinced manager Sam Denly the club is heading for good times.

The formation of a Hythe Town FC Patrons Group is aimed at helping the Cannons compete with bigger Kent clubs who already have similar funding groups in place.

Denly has a "strong" playing budget which has already allowed him to put several key players on contract for next season as Hythe bid to break into the Bostik South play-offs.

Chris Kinnear is staying at Hythe Town Picture: Andy Jones
Chris Kinnear is staying at Hythe Town Picture: Andy Jones

Kieron Campbell and Chris Kinnear are the latest to sign and Denly hopes to agree more deals this week.

He said: "It's a strong enough budget for this level. It's not the highest but it's by no means the lowest.

"It's enabling me to bring players in that I want, keep the squad together and the supporters have got a consortium together which is adding to the budget.

"That just shows what the club's about. It's a really good club down at Hythe; the supporters have got behind me and the team, we've had some good meetings since I've come in and there's a real good buzz around the place.

"They're doing their bit to drum up more interest and get more money in which is enabling me to keep players like Kieron Campbell and Chris Kinnear. If we've got a community like that together, there can only be successful times ahead.

"Hythe are saying those things publically because they do want to compete. That's all you want as a manager and a team, to be at a club with ambition - and we've got that. It's shown by what we're saying and what the supporters are doing.

"They're putting their hands in their pockets, supporting the team in good numbers and we are a club that want to get on.

"It's going to be an interesting league next season but I'd like to think, with the players we're signing and those I'm speaking to, we can build a squad to be there or thereabouts."

Kinnear turned down offers from higher leagues to stay at Hythe but Ryan Johnson will be moving on this summer.

The club captain made 112 appearances for Town but won't be adding to that tally.

"I'm disappointed," Denly said. "Me and RJ are fine but we just couldn't agree a deal.

"I don't mind admitting I'm working to a budget this season. It's still a good budget but previously there hasn't been a line where it stops.

"He's a fantastic player, a great captain and we will miss him. He's going to be very hard to replace."

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