A new era at Whitstable Town begins on Saturday when Nicky Southall takes his side to Redhill on the opening day of the Ryman League Division 1 South season.

This will be Southall’s first full campaign as a manager and the former Gillingham midfielder accepts he will be judged by results after overhauling the Town squad in the summer.

Southall has put the Oystermen through an extended pre-season – having called his players back for training on June 15 – and the veteran of more than 600 appearances in the Football League, is relishing the challenge ahead.

He said: “This is what I live for. It’s why I became a pro in 1989. It’s a new dawn for me, my first year as a manager. I am excited.

“I will be judged because this is my team and that’s why I haven’t had a day off, even when I was on holiday. My phone was never off because I’ve been talking to players and sorting things out."

Southall said: “The players are ready now. They’re fed up of pre-season and if I threw a bit of raw meat out, they’d be chasing it.”

Southall is still registered as a player this season but he is ruled out for two weeks with a calf injury. John Guest (back) and Craig McGuire (eye) are also struggling.