Hythe Town have appealed for help after revealing they had “lost a main source of income from an anonymous donor”.

In a statement read to supporters on Monday evening, the Cannons warned their playing budget - described as “competitive” but “by no means extravagant” - was unsustainable.

The Isthmian South East club said they were inviting interested parties to come forward over the next three weeks, during which time the current budget will be maintained.

The anonymous donor had wanted to install a 3G pitch at Reachfields while Hythe said they could have “planned a firm drive for promotion”.

However, without that funding, their immediate priorities are to keep the club debt-free - a position they’ve enjoyed since reforming in 1992.

The statement said: “Unfortunately with the onset of the pandemic we lost a main source of income from an anonymous donor whose vision for the club included the possibility of developing Reachfields into a local sporting hub for the community and, despite receiving many assurances, this income has not restarted.

“With this funding we could have planned a firm drive for promotion and set aside a sum for at least one season in the Premier Division.

“We could also now have been planning for an artificial pitch that would have allowed us to stage Hythe Town Youth FC games at the stadium, as well as hiring out to other organisations.

“Without that funding we have to face the fact that our present playing budget is unsustainable.

“Ever since the crash in 1992 the club has been ‘in the black’ with no debts, and this remains the case today, but without an injection of cash this would not be the case if we did nothing now.

“We now enter a three-week period (until November 8) when we will be inviting any local persons or commercial interests to come forward, whilst at the same time realising that these are not easy times for anybody.

“During this time we will be maintaining the budget, which despite being a fairly competitive one is by no means extravagant for the division we are in.

“Our players and management enjoy representing Hythe and regularly turn down offers from other Kent clubs who seem to have a sudden access to money - however temporary.”

Any offers of help - which would be treated in confidence - should be made to club secretary Martin Giles at martinandsuegiles@gmail.com, or at any match.

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